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Homeopathy 2002; 91(04): 230-238
DOI: 10.1054/homp.2002.0054
Education and Debate
Copyright ©The Faculty of Homeopathy 2002

Improving homeopathic prescribing by applying epidemiological techniques: the role of likelihood ratio

CF Stolper
1   Commissie Methode en Validering VHAN (Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians), Heerde, Netherlands
,
A LB Rutten
2   Commissie Methode en Validering VHAN (Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians), Breda, Netherlands
,
R FG Lugten
3   Commissie Methode en Validering VHAN (Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians), Gouda, Netherlands
,
R JWM Barthels
4   Commissie Methode en Validering VHAN (Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians), Drunen, Netherlands
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Further Information

Publication History

Received16 April 2002
revised19 July 2002

accepted29 July 2002

Publication Date:
04 January 2018 (online)

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Abstract

A committee of the Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians is trying to validate materia medica by evaluating successful cases. These cases are presented and assessed by a group of experienced homeopathic physicians to provide indications about the prevalence of symptoms related to particular homeopathic medicines. The next logical question is whether epidemiological techniques can be applied to them. We have some ideas concerning the information these data can provide, based on epidemiological theory and limited experimental data. Theoretical investigation suggests that the epidemiological concept of likelihood ratio is well adapted to homeopathy. Researching and applying likelihood ratio will lead to more accurate materia medica and repertory. These considerations already indicate some shortcomings in the representation of rare remedies and the use of grading in the current repertories.

Keywords

likelihood ratio - homeopathy - epidemiology - materia medica - repertory.
 

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