Use of Homeopathic Medicines in a Public Primary Care Setting

Objectives: This article describes the frequency of use of homeopathic treatments in a public primary care outpatient clinic, the diseases treated, and the clinical outcome.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of the patients of a general practice unit was performed. One hundred and forty-two medical records were randomly selected. The variables were use of homeopathy, diagnosis,kind of illness (acute or chronic), prescribed treatment, role of homeopathy, and clinical outcome.

Results: 63.4% of the patients had used homeopathy at least once, which was independent of gender and age. Of them, 55.6% were treated for chronic conditions. Homeopathy was the only prescription in 46.7% of cases (main in 8.9% and adjuvant in 44.4%). Most frequently treated complaints were musculoskeletal (28.9%), respiratory (17.8%), psychic (16.7%), cardiovascular (7.8%), and cutaneous (6.7%). The clinical outcome was favorable (improved or cured) in 57.8% of cases, 60% of the acute and 56% of the chronic cases. No adverse reactions were recorded.

Conclusion: Homeopathy can be a useful therapeutic option in a public primary care setting. The study points out the feasibility of its implantation and the effectiveness and safety of the homeopathic prescription.

Keywords: Homeopathy, primary care, pharmacoepidemiology, retrospective study