Homeopathy 2015; 104(03): 182-189
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.04.001
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2015

Some intrapersonal qualities of SA homeopaths who have established successful private practices

Elizabeth Margaret Solomon
1   Department of Homeopathy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Marie Poggenpoel
2   Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Christoffel Petrus Hendrikus Myburgh
3   Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received13 August 2014
revised26 March 2015

accepted15 April 2015

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of homeopaths who have established successful private practices in South Africa (SA) with the aim of identifying some of their intrapersonal qualities which may have contributed to their establishing a successful practice.

Method: This was a qualitative phenomenological research design using in-depth interviews with homeopaths running successful private practices across 5 provinces in SA, which were digitally recorded. Of these, 18 were transcribed and analysed using a descriptive coding approach and strategies for phenomenological analysis. Themes and supporting categories are identified and described.

Findings: Homeopaths experiences suggest that they are authentic, self-aware, self-reflective and proactive. They experienced a need for self-care and support and further found that their integrity, positive attitude, self-discipline and passion, contributed to their success in practice.

Conclusion: The intrapersonal qualities can be roughly divided between those that generate inner-support and those which aid homeopaths attain their goal of establishing a practice and are therefore crucial aspects of success generation.