Patients' preference for integrating homeopathy (PPIH) within the standard therapy settings in West Bengal, India: The part 1 (PPIH-1) study

Abstract

There is lack of studies assessing the preference of Indian patients for integration of homeopathy into standard therapy settings. The objectives of this study were to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of homeopathy among Indian patients already availing homeopathy treatment and its integration into mainstream healthcare.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult patients attending the out-patients of the four government homeopathic hospitals in West Bengal, India. A self-administered 24-items questionnaire in local vernacular Bengali was developed and administered to the patients.A total of 1352 patients' responses were included in the current analysis. 40% patients thought that homeopathic medicines can be used along with standard therapy. 32.5% thought that homeopathic medicines might cause side effects, while only 13.3% believed that those might interact with other medications. Patients' knowledge ranged between 25.1 and 76.5% regarding regulations of practicing and safety of homeopathic medicine in India and abroad; while positive attitude towards the same ranged between 25.4 and 88.5%. 88.6% of the patients had favorable attitude toward integrated services. 68.2% of the patients used homeopathic medicines in any acute or chronic illness for themselves and 76.6% for their children. Preference for integrated services was significantly associated with better knowledge (P = 0.002), positive attitudes toward safety and regulations (P < 0.0001), and integration (P < 0.0001), but not with the level of practice (P = 0.515).A favorable attitude toward integrating homeopathy into conventional healthcare settings was obtained among the patients attending the homeopathic hospitals in West Bengal, India.

Patient preference for integrating homeopathy (PPIH) and attitude and satisfaction following integration within mainstream healthcare settings in West Bengal, India: the part 2 (PPIH‐2) study

“…Collaborative pilot projects of homeopathic integration in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) are being initiated by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, and Central Council for Research in Homeopathy. Further details of homeopathy infrastructure at the state and national level are elaborated elsewhere …”

“…Results obtained from the first study (part 1) are reported elsewhere . This paper presents the results of the second study (part 2).…”

Patients’ Preference for Integrating Homoeopathy Services within the Secondary Health Care Settings in India

“…The Bengali questionnaire was already available and has been used earlier. 19 It included 2 sections: sociodemographic information and 25 questions assessing the patient’s knowledge, attitudes, and practice of homoeopathic medicine and its integration into the existing hospital services. Sociodemographic data sought information regarding age, sex, marital status, employment status, monthly household income, and educational level.…”

“…However, patients’ preference for the integrated services remains underresearched in India. Earlier, PPIH-1 and PPIH-2 studies were undertaken in West Bengal assessing preference for integrated services of the patients already availing services from homoeopathy hospitals (PPIH-1) 19 and evaluating satisfaction of patients from integrated services (PPIH-2). 20 The PPIH-1 survey revealed favorable attitude toward integrating homoeopathy into conventional health care settings among the patients attending the homoeopathic hospitals in West Bengal, India.…”

Can the AYUSH system be instrumental in achieving universal health coverage in India?

“…A study was carried out recently among 1352 patients in West Bengal with the aim of learning whether patients would like homoeopathy to be integrated with the standard therapy. Forty per cent of the respondents felt that homoeopathy can be used side by side with standard therapy; 68.2% used homoeopathic medicine; and 76.6% used it to treat their children's ailments (15). The universality of the AYUsH systems of medicine has become clearly evident since the implementation of the NRHM.…”