Background: Homeopathy use continues to grow in many European countries, and some studies have examined the characteristics of patients using homeopathy within the general population. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for homeopathy use among internal medicine patients. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among all patients being referred to the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine at Essen, Germany, over a 3-year period. The analysis examined whether patients had used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint before, the perceived benefit, and the perceived harm of homeopathy use. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 2,045 respondents, 715 (35.0%) reported having used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint (diagnosis according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), with 359 (50.2%) reporting perceived benefits and 15 (2.1%) reporting harm. Homeopathy use was positively associated with female gender, high school level education, suffering from fibromyalgia or subthreshold depression, and being fast food abstinent, while patients with osteoarthritis, spinal or other pain, smokers, and patients with a high external-social health locus of control were less likely to use homeopathy. Conclusion: Personal characteristics and health status may impact on the use and the perceived helpfulness of homeopathy.

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The Naturopathic Patient Database is a data management tool developed by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to collect patient data from its teaching clinic, the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. This study investigated how type 2 diabetes mellitus was managed at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic from May 2009 to February 2011. Cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus from the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic reported in the Naturopathic Patient Database were extracted based on an International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code assessment of E11 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and files were audited. The American Diabetes Association 2010 standards of medical care in diabetes were used as guidelines for the audit. Multiple categories in diagnosis, physical exam, laboratory tests, and management were graded on a 0 to 2 scale. The average audit score was 55.5/90. The most common interventions being used are diet and aerobic exercise, followed by supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) and botanicals. These data suggest that the American Diabetes Association standards of care for type 2 diabetes mellitus are not followed stringently. Education and creation of a naturopathic standard of care may improve audit performance and patient outcomes.

This observation study assessed the utility of an electronic Naturopathic Patient Database at 2 naturopathic teaching clinics as a research and educational tool. Focusing on the whole systems practice of naturopathic medicine using individualized treatment protocols, patients from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine outpatient teaching clinic and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine outpatient teaching clinic were assessed. Data were collected on patient demographics, laboratory values, physical measures, treatment protocols, and validated questionnaires. Results showed the Naturopathic Patient Database was able to capture both standardized and individualized measures of care for research purposes. A number of substudies were generated by student interns using the database. Limitations identified included limited resources for training faculty, interns, and administrators on program use and data entry; also, data quality and completeness were problematic. However, the Naturopathic Patient Database captured data on the individualized nature of naturopathic care and had the ability to collect and compare large amounts of data.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge translation (KT) is a rapidly growing field that is becoming an integral part of research protocols.METHODS: This meeting report describes one group's experience at the 2009 KT Canada Summer Institute in developing an end-of-grant KT plan for a randomized control trial proposal.RESULTS: Included is a discussion of the process, challenges and recommendations from the trainee's perspective in developing an end-of-grant KT plan.CONCLUSION: New researchers should consider developing an end-of-grant KT plan with strategies that move beyond passive dissemination to incorporate innovative means of collaboration with the end user to craft the message, package the information and share the research findings with end users.