Thinking out of the national box: what is there to learn?

Having recently returned from an international Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) conference I noticed – once again – that it can be really fun to learn about international perspectives. Even if the models of care or the concepts of integrating CAM into mainstream medicine discussed in another country might not even be feasible in my home country (for instance for legal reasons) I always find it stimulating and encouraging to listen to people from all over the world.

Having said this, I have nonetheless a confession to make: When asked about research in homeopathy (and this is also true for other CAM modalities as well) mainly British, American and the occasional German or Swiss study springs to my mind. This ‘research map’ in my mind is by no means international and bears witness to a really limited horizon. Therefore, I felt it was refreshing to read a series of four homeopathy studies published in Homeopathy which were conducted in Italy.

• References

• 1 Rossi E., Baccetti S., Firenzuoli F., Belvedere K. Homeopathy and complementary medicine in Tuscany, Italy: integration in the public health system. Homeopathy 2008; 97: 70-75.
• 2 Rossi E., Crudeli L., Endrizzi C., Garibaldi D. Cost–benefit evaluation of homeopathic versus conventional therapy in respiratory diseases. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 2-10.
• 3 Pomposelli R., Piasere V., Andreoni C. et al. Observational study of homeopathic and conventional therapies in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 17-25.
• 4 Rossi E., Endrizzi C., Panozzo M.A., Bianchi A., Da Frè M. Homeopathy in the public health system: a seven-year observational study at Lucca Hospital (Italy). Homeopathy 2009; 98: 142-148.