Knowledge and attitudes towards homeopathic research: the perspective of new graduates and postgraduate trainees – an Indian scenario. Issue 3 (14th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koley, Munmun; Saha, Subhranil; Arya, Jogendra Singh; Choubey, Gurudev; Ghosh, Aloke; Saha, Sangita; Ghosh, Shubhamoy; Ganguly, Subhasish
• Is Part Of: Focus on alternative and complementary therapies. Volume 19:Issue 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2014-05-14
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1111/fct.12115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-3753

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="fct12115-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Homeopathic research conducted by new graduates [i.e. house staff (HS)] and postgraduate trainees (PGTs) in India remains seriously compromised.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12115-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To assess HS and PGT knowledge and attitudes towards homeopathic research and to identify the barriers to conducting research.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12115-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in four government homeopathic schools in West Bengal, India. A total of 118 HS and 54 PGTs were interviewed using a validated and pilot‐tested self‐administered questionnaire. Bivariate analyses were performed to look for putative associations between different variables and the knowledge and attitude scores.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12115-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The survey response rate was 43%. Mean scores ± standard deviation on the knowledge and attitude scales were 31.35% ± 15.27 and 47.3% ± 18.2, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the knowledge (<italic>P</italic>=0.234) and attitude scores (<italic>P</italic>=0.304) of HS and PGTs. Males had significantly better knowledge of (<italic>P</italic>=0.020) and attitude towards (<italic>P</italic>=0.033) research in comparison with females. Constraints in infrastructure (23%), research training (20%) and statistical support (15%) were the major hurdles to pursuing research.</p> </sec> <sec id="fct12115-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Homeopathic HS and PGTs demonstrate inadequate knowledge, while having moderate attitudes towards research. Research training needs to undergo major transformation to encourage meaningful research.</p> </sec> </abstract>