Use of Self-Medication with Homeopathy in Germany: Results of an Online Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Background: Little is known about self-medication with homeopathic drugs in Germany. The aim of this study was to gain information about users, sources of information and the selection process of the drugs. Methods: An online questionnaire survey among users of self-medication with homeopathy was conducted via social media and email newsletters. Results: A total of 665 users who responded to the questionnaire were included. Most of the respondents were women (92%) in their mid-forties with high educational status. In total, 43% of the participants reported a household member working in the health sector. Books (65%) and Internet (47%) were the most common sources of information. Consultations in pharmacies - with a mean duration of 10 min - were likely to be used (60%). Homeopathic drugs were mainly used in the potency D12 (55%), for a duration of 5 days, 3 times daily, with 5 globules. Homeopathic drugs were mainly used due to good therapeutic experiences in the past (82%). Indications for use were acute diseases (91%), particularly colds (86%), as well as chronic diseases (51%) and prevention (47%). The selection of a homeopathic drug took the participants 25 min on average. Conclusion: Homeopathic self-medication is understood by users as a resource to regain, maintain, and promote health. Further research about the quality and applicability of information for homeopathic self-medication is necessary.

Medical decision making beyond evidence: Correlates of belief in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and homeopathy

“…People with such cognitive biases apply the wrong distinctive properties to the superordinate categories, base their knowledge on inappropriate foundations, and see relations that might only be due to coincidence. Moreover, gender and age can explain the beliefs as in previous studies [4,8,16,19,35]. Interestingly, these demographic variables describe a group that is generally more interested in and concerned with health issues and basically engages more with health-related topics [2,46].…”

“…In many studies, the focus was on socio-demographic variables. It was found that primarily middle-aged [8], well-educated women use CAM [16,35] and homeopathic treatments, in particular [4,8,19,35,36]. In addition, reasoning skills have also been examined in relation to CAM belief and use.…”

“…For medical decisions, individuals who agree that important knowledge results from religious or spiritual experiences might not rely on evidence as a proof of efficiency but rather explain it in terms of personal experiences. In a previous study, it was found that some of the primary reasons for the use of homeopathy were having good experiences in the past [19]. Own experiences have a high value and persuasive power but are meaningless from a scientific point of view as individual cases cannot be generalized to others.…”

“…For example, German pharmacies turned over approximately 542 million Euros with homeopathic medicines in 2018 [18]. In many cases, the use of homeopathy goes along with use of other CAM methods [19,20] and sometimes also with rejection of conventional medicine (e.g., vaccinations [6]).…”

Three Arm Pilot Study with Waiting Group Control to Quantify the Effect of Information Field Analysis and Vibration and the Application of Individualized Microcurrent Treatments on Improvement of General Wellbeing and Goal Attainment in Healthy Volunteers

“…They are easy to apply in a self-help mode and thus can support subjects' desire to help them. This is a motive frequently cited in surveys of patients' reasons for seeking out alternative treatments [17][18][19].…”