Homeopathy Research in the NHS
Background
Since 2005 I have worked within the NHS (Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) initially as part of a team delivering a pilot study in the homeopathic treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). This study, co-funded by Barnsley Hospital and Homeopathy Action Trust (HAT), concluded in 2007 & the results were published in 2008 at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) conference, more recently in Homeopathy magazine (Apr, 2009) and has received ongoing coverage online and in the British Medical Journal.
Ref : ACR abstract – www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19358959
Rheumatology
The interest generated by the favourable results of this pragmatic pilot study resulted in the provision of a low-cost FMS clinic at Barnsley Hospital and further funding by Homeopathy Action Trust (HAT) to run a 'service evaluation' of the homeopathic treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) with homeopathy as the preferred intervention for this patient group. Thirty patients receiving homeopathy were followed for 12 months with the objective of further informing our profession about the treatment of FMS and identifying an optimum treatment period. The study concluded in September 2010.
Gastroenterology
Between 2010 – 2013 a small scale pilot study was conducted into Homeopathy for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This trial was co-founded by Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundations Trust and the Homeopathy Research Institute. The protocol for this trial is available on PubMed 24222383. Final results are currently being collated with full publication to follow. It is hoped that a larger, multi-site study will follow if the results of the pilot are favourable.
I feel passionately that complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, can demonstrate an effect within orthodox research models and the measurements therein. I believe that the willingness of homeopathy to work in this manner goes a long way to overcoming prejudices on both sides, promotes greater understanding of healthcare in its broader term and, most importantly, facilitates patient choice in a safe, controlled way.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
In support of my experience working within the NHS I am working towards developing my conventional knowledge of Rheumatology and Gastroenterology and the co-existing conditions (so called co-morbidities) that often exist between these areas. My reasons for so doing are threefold. Firstly improving my awareness of rheumatological and gastroenterological disorders which, I believe, improves homeopathic treatment I am able to offer. Secondly, greater experience supports my belief that complementary practitioners should be conversant with orthodox treatment. Thirdly, whilst science has yet to fully accept the premise of heritable change – i.e. changes in gene activity that aren’t caused by changes in DNA – the field of Epigenetics, which studies and explains these changes, is comparable to homeopathic understanding of inherited tendencies and the predisposition to show our symptoms in certain ways or by the expression of certain organs. Where this shown to be the case homeopathy could be confirmed as a viable and effective form of holistic treatment.
For more information on research into homeopathy, please consult the websites of The Society of Homoepaths and the Homeopathy Research Institute.
