Much confidence in homeopathy

Patients give good marks to homeopathic doctors

08/28/2014

Trust, satisfaction, treatment success. Patients who consult homeopathic physicians in a recent study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and Barmer GEK are very positive about their doctor and the therapy. Almost 7,000 people insured with Barmer were asked about their experiences and opinions on medical homeopathy.

More than 80 percent of patients treated by homeopathic physicians improved their general condition and mood. Also physical complaints eased. In the homeopathic treatment, the doctors listen more carefully, more often take into account the worries and fears of the patients, respond to their questions and talk to patients more intensively about their therapy, the respondents report. Confidence in homeopathic physicians is greater than that of physicians working in conventional medicine. 90 percent of respondents have great or very high confidence in conventional medicine, 75 to 80 percent.

The satisfaction of the respondents with homeopathic doctors is also slightly higher. They also see the limits of homeopathy. Up to 65 percent of those treated with homeopathy and 70 percent of patients without such experience may consider homeopathic treatment of severe diseases to be dangerous.

The most frequent reasons for visiting homeopathic physicians are general complaints (48 percent), chronic and acute illnesses (43 and 32 percent, respectively). The patients went there because there was no improvement elsewhere or they wanted a doctor with more time (49 or 48 percent). The fact that homeopathy actually helps, where conventional medicine has failed, is believed by up to 87 percent of its users, of those without a homeopathic experience, 60 percent. DZVhÄ chairman Cornelia Bajic said: „The results of the health monitor, which are convincing for medical homeopathy, confirm our experience in daily practice.“ The health monitor is a project of the Bertelsmann Stiftung and Barmer GEK. (Pm)