A research tool for homeopathic practice

Clinical outcomes studies are designed to evaluate the effects and/or efficacy of a treatment or modality. Clinical research is mostly carried out by trained academics and is perceived to be beyond the scope or capability of the general homeopathic practitioner.

I believe that rigor in homeopathic practice is just as important as in clinical trials. Homeopathic educators present and publish mostly their best cases. The realities of practice are often very different from the perceived brilliance of their teachers.

COMPASS is a software program with a tremendous number of in-build audit tools designed by homeopaths to help homeopathic practitioners examine and evaluate many aspects of their work – not just the effects of individual prescriptions.

Computers are brilliantly placed to help homeopaths keep track of the myriad details of each case and to calculate certain aspects of carefully entered data.

COMPASS helps homeopaths in practice evaluate the results of their work. It provides a way for homeopathic practitioners to conduct a variety of outcomes research without getting a degree in statistics or research proper.

Session Goals

• To inspire educators to include outcomes research instruction into their teaching programs – especially their clinical training.

• To discuss how practitioners in general practice can evaluate the results of their work on a regular basis to describe some of the many benefits of this practice.

• To illustrate the numerous audit features and explain their purposes and values.

• To generate discussion around this area of grass roots homeopathic clinical research.

• To solicit feedback regarding possible improvements.

• To seek collaboration with others doing similar research.