Desk study on homeopathy in organic livestock farming

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Hi Colleagues interested in veterinary homeopathy,

 

See a very fine review: Desk study on homeopathy in organic livestock

farming: Principles, obstacles and recommendations for practice and

research by Erik Baars and Ton Baars

 

Conclusions and recommendations: The aim of this desk study was in

the first instance to arrive at an overview of existing research in

homeopathy, in terms of both results and research methodology. A

second aim was to gain insight into the way in which new research into

the use and efficacy of homeopathic remedies could be used in organic

livestock farming.

 

Proof of effectiveness of homeopathy: To sum up we can conclude on

methodological grounds that as yet the evidence to establish the

effectiveness of the remedies in general and for specific indications is

poorly presented. In concrete terms this means that there is still

insufficient empirical evidence of the effects of homeopathic treatments.

On the other hand there are sufficient empirical indications concerning

both forms of medication to justify effectiveness and further research.

 

New research into the use and efficacy of homeopathy: Good follow-up

research should be in line with the underlying complementary health

and welfare concept which encompasses treatment with this type of

remedy. RCTs are thus of limited use, since they disregard the

individualised character of the treatment. In practice however sufficient

alternative methodologies have been developed which can be used in

outcome research. We therefore propose the following graduated

structure for outcome research:

 

1. Continuous monitoring of the experience of veterinary practitioners

and farmers with all homeopathic treatments. Working method: use

existing short standard questionnaire. This requires little effort and is

completed by the veterinary practitioner and the farmer (Evans and

Zimmerman, 2003, submitted). Result: (a) experience-based overview

of potentially effective homeopathic treatments, (b) an initial form of

feedback to veterinary practitioners, farmers and policy makers.

 

2. Low budget TCRs into a few promising treatments for specific

indications which emerge from the monitoring project referred to under

(1). Result: Good, low budget results of outcome research.

 

3. Model projects in which the individualised approach of homeopathic

treatments is further developed through planning, process and product

evaluation (Swanborn, 2000) and tested for effectiveness. Result:

evaluation of an optimum homeopathic approach to treatment.

 

4. Model projects in which homeopathic treatments form part of an

overall complementary approach to certain diseases. Within these

model projects comparative studies are carried out to examine whether

there is added value in homeopathic treatments which form part of an

overall complementary approach, compared with a solitary homeopathic

treatment. Result: insight into the role of the context within which

homeopathic treatments are given for the effect of those treatments.

 

5. Some ‘state of the art’ Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) for

those promising general treatments for general indications. Result:

some results which can withstand the test of scientific criticism.

 

6. Theoretical research into the validity of underlying and adjoining

concepts of, inter alia, the working mechanisms of these types of

remedies, holism versus reductionism, (health through) self-regulation,

and life. Result: specific knowledge required for scientific and social

acceptance of the effect of these types of medication obtained by

empirical research.

 

Other conditions which must be met by good outcome research include:

1. Additional quality control of the remedies so that outcome research

can assume optimum effectiveness of the remedy concerned. For

example, the use of validated ‘conceptualising’ methods such as the

crystallisation method (Andersen et al., 2001).

 

2. The creation of a research infrastructure or complementary health

care network in which veterinary practitioners, farmers, policy makers

and researchers participate in joint policy-making and implementation.

 

3. The outcome research should be performed or supported by qualified

researchers who are prepared to base work on a more holistic and

complementary approach.

 

4. Training and courses in homeopathy need to be improved.

 

The full text is at http://orgprints.org/2194/01/homeopathy.pdf

 

Best regards,

 

HOME + WORK: 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0)

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