British general practitioners' attitudes towards and usage of homeopathy: a systematic review of surveys. Issue 2 (9th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perry, Rachel; Watson, Leala K; Terry, Rohini; Onakpoya, Igho; Ernst, Edzard
• Is Part Of: Focus on alternative and complementary therapies. Volume 18:Issue 2(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2013-04-09
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1111/fct.12018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-3753

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="fct12018-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>General practitioners (GPs) often refer patients to complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. One of the more popular yet controversial therapies for patients to request is homeopathy.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12018-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To assess GP/primary care physician involvement with and attitudes towards homeopathy.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12018-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Seven electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant UK surveys of GPs/primary care physicians conducted between 1995 and 2013. Data extraction of all included trials was conducted by three independent reviewers.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12018-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Thirteen surveys (from 15 articles) met the inclusion criteria. Less than 10% of GPs treated patients with homeopathy directly; referral rates ranged from 4–73%. Views on the effectiveness of homeopathy ranged from 29–48.7%, and opinions on whether it should be funded by the UK National Health Service ranged from 19–64%. Three surveys reported on GP professional training levels in homeopathy and two investigated GP knowledge of the evidence base of homeopathy.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12018-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Homeopathy is currently being utilised by the UK medical profession to a minor degree. Referral rates vary considerably nationally but, on average, are low.</p> </sec> </abstract>