Homeopathy and complementary medicine in Tuscany, Italy: integration in the public health system

Abstract

The healthcare programmes of the Region of Tuscany, Italy have contained references to various types of non-conventional medicine since 1996, and the last three Regional Health Plans have includes a chapter on non-conventional medicine that arguably represent the greatest degree of integration of such therapies in the public health care system achieved thus far in Italy. The Plan aims to guarantee definitive integration in the Regional Health Service of types of non-conventional medicine which are supported by a sufficient level of scientific evidence to allow them to be defined as forms of complementary medicine (acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy and manual medicine). Moreover, in 2007 the Regional council of Tuscany, for the first time in Italy, approved a regional law disciplining the practice of complementary medicines on the part of doctors, dentists, Veterinarians and pharmacists.

Regional Health Systems and non-conventional medicine: the situation in Italy

“…At present there are 57 public clinics providing complementary (acupuncture, homeopathy and phytotherapy) and NCM services at health clinics and hospitals. This policy is in line with the principle of freedom of choice as regards therapeutic care, for both citizens and healthcare operators [46, 47]. …”

Measuring the effectiveness of homeopathic care through objective and shared indicators

“…The Regional Health Care Plan of Tuscany is unusual in Italy in incorporating non-conventional medicine. 23,24 In the present article we focus on objective health data only, related to a given set of homeopathic patients.…”

International cooperation in support of homeopathy and complementary medicine in developing countries: the Tuscan experience

“…Inclusion of Complementary Medicine into the Regional Health System started in Tuscany over 10 years ago. 10 A regional survey, promoted by the Health Regional Agency in 2003, noted the use of CAM by the population and great interest by family doctors and paediatricians. 11 To date, there are more than 75 public services of acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy in the Tuscan Network of Integrative Medicine, distributed among all the Healthcare Centres of the Region.…”