Are homeopaths culturally prejudiced? Homeopathy and Medical Anthropology: two qualitative studies from an intercultural perspective

Abstract

Introduction : According to the World Health Organization the use of traditional and complementary medicines has become a truly global phenomenon as products and practices from specific regions are now found throughout the world. Homeopathy's expansion in new locations was lately researched and discussed in medical anthropology. Aside from issues of regulation, there are important cultural implications for usage and training when such systems of medicine are deployed in different social settings. Therefore the impact upon local cultures and the implications for homeopathic practice as well as on homeopathy at large demand attention. Description : In two separate Grounded Theory, qualitative studies, interviews were conducted with stakeholders of humanitarian aid projects of homeopathy in an intercultural context. In one study 12 educator/trainers were questioned about their experience in delivering homeopathy in a cross-cultural setting. The other study explored how 12 practising homeopaths, in five African countries, perceived their training and the challenges of application in their clinics. Results : Interviews yielded rich data about both supporting and hindering influences in training, practice and society. Besides practical issues in training and practice, these pertained mainly to intercultural transmission. Cultural awareness, appreciation of traditional medicine and local customs are prerequisites of understanding, culturally sensitive case-taking and analysis, and perception of homeopathy by patients and public. Conclusion : The two studies revealed several conditions for successful transmission of homeopathy into other cultures. Furthermore they highlight challenges for further investigation of homeopathy in medical anthropology. Specifically: One needs to acknowledge homeopathy as a cultural system of western origin. Frequently concepts like ?Vital force? and ?Miasms? employed in a non-western culture incur reinterpretations according to the cultural background. Homeopaths must review underlying principles such as basing the prescription on the patient's own words as the expression of disease; sickness is often culturally defined.