Medical System Choice: Information That Affects the Selection of Healthcare Provider in Australia?

Many complementary and alternative medical practices (CAM) are readily assessable in Australia alongside Allopathic practitioners. Although CAM practices are prevalent, little is known about how patients seek and use information when deciding which system to consult. We report some preliminary findings of a longitudinal study, designed to solicit factors that influence the Australian public when selecting from diverse medical systems. Fifty-four general public participants, willing to provide their confidential and anonymous opinion were included. The magnitudes of importance, critical in influencing factors, were screened. Results indicated a medical system was selected for its effectiveness, safety, credentials and care (p<0.001). Consultation time, convenience, cost, empowerment and rapport were less important factors (p<0.001) influencing selection of a medical system. The level of choices by participants [χ2 (1, N=54) = 53.445, p<0.001] follow similar trends found for those in conventional medical systems. This contrasts with findings in other locations, where cost and time were major contributing factors when selecting medical systems.

A Reevaluation of the Effectiveness of Homoeoprophylaxis Against Leptospirosis in Cuba in 2007 and 2008.

OBJECTIVES: In 2007 and 2008, Cuban health officials conducted large homoeoprophylaxis interventions against rising rates of leptospirosis caused by extensive hurricane damage. Published results showed that the interventions were highly successful, but some questions regarding possible confounders were raised. The objective of this research was to assess the influence of potential confounders on initial results. DESIGN: Weekly leptospirosis reporting data entries for 9 years were checked to ensure data consistency. Some errors in weekly reports for 2000-2008 were discovered, and corrected, and the changes incorporated in this analysis. The corrected data was reanalyzed to investigate the impact of potential confounders. RESULTS: New analyses of the timing and extent of vaccination and chemoprophylaxis in 2007 and 2008 and changes in leptospirosis notifications were presented. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the previous conclusions that homoeoprophylaxis can be used to effectively immunize people against targeted infectious diseases such as leptospirosis.

The Philosophical and Evidentiary Basis of Homoeopathic Immunisation: a Response to Teixeira

Homeopathic immunisation was first used in 1798, but remains controversial with some homeopathic practitioners. Teixeira supported the use of genus epidemicus (GE) remedies, but strongly condemned the use of nosodes for disease prevention. However Teixeira failed to fully understand the Principal of Similars, he used a double standard when comparing evidence using GE remedies and nosodes, he misread information demonstrating the safety of long-term HP, and he appeared to be unaware of scientific evidence which is available supporting the prophylactic use of nosodes. These four areas are addressed in turn, and evidence from 1798 to 2012 is presented showing that appropriate homoeopathic immunisation using GE remedies and/or nosodes has the potential to prevent much suffering without any risk of possible short-term toxic damage or long-term energetic adverse effects. (AU)

A imunização homeopática foi utilizada pela primeira vez em 1798, no entanto, continua sendo uma prática controvertida entre os homeopatas. Teixeira defende o uso de medicamentos do gênio epidémico (GE), mas condena veementemente o uso de nosódios na prevenção de doenças. Contudo, Teixeira não tem compreendido completamente o princípio de similitude, utilizou um padrão duplo na sua comparação das evidências resultantes do uso de medicamentos GE e nosódios, fez uma leitura equívoca das informações que demonstram a segurança da homeoprofilaxia no longo prazo e parece não ter ciência de evidências científicas disponíveis embasando o uso de nosódios. Esses quatro tópicos são abordados aqui, além da apresentação de evidências coletadas de 1798 a 2012 que demonstram que una imunização homeopática adequada baseada no uso de medicamentos do GE e/ou nosódios tem potencial para prevenir muito sofrimento sem risco de lesões tóxicas no curto prazo nem de efeitos adversos energéticos no longo prazo. (AU)

The Philosophical and Evidentiary Basis of Homoeopathic Immunisation: a Response to Teixeira

Homeopathic immunisation was first used in 1798, but remains controversial with some homeopathic practitioners. Teixeira supported the use of genus epidemicus (GE) remedies, but strongly condemned the use of nosodes for disease prevention. However Teixeira failed to fully understand the Principal of Similars, he used a double standard when comparing evidence using GE remedies and nosodes, he misread information demonstrating the safety of long-term HP, and he appeared to be unaware of scientific evidence which is available supporting the prophylactic use of nosodes. These four areas are addressed in turn, and evidence from 1798 to 2012 is presented showing that appropriate homoeopathic immunisation using GE remedies and/or nosodes has the potential to prevent much suffering without any risk of possible short-term toxic damage or long-term energetic adverse effects.

A imunização homeopática foi utilizada pela primeira vez em 1798, no entanto, continua sendo uma prática controvertida entre os homeopatas. Teixeira defende o uso de medicamentos do gênio epidémico (GE), mas condena veementemente o uso de nosódios na prevenção de doenças. Contudo, Teixeira não tem compreendido completamente o princípio de similitude, utilizou um padrão duplo na sua comparação das evidências resultantes do uso de medicamentos GE e nosódios, fez uma leitura equívoca das informações que demonstram a segurança da homeoprofilaxia no longo prazo e parece não ter ciência de evidências científicas disponíveis embasando o uso de nosódios. Esses quatro tópicos são abordados aqui, além da apresentação de evidências coletadas de 1798 a 2012 que demonstram que una imunização homeopática adequada baseada no uso de medicamentos do GE e/ou nosódios tem potencial para prevenir muito sofrimento sem risco de lesões tóxicas no curto prazo nem de efeitos adversos energéticos no longo prazo.