[The homeopathic patient: comparative results of homeopathic and conventional GP patient interviews]

This paper compares the results of homeopathic and conventional patient interviews. It is based on data from 284 patient interviews, conducted by 14 General Practitioners in 1993-94. Homeopathic treatment was used with 174 of the patients, while 110 were treated using conventional methods. In this sample, homeopathic patients were younger and better educated than those treated conventionally. They tended to be involved in pedagogy, health-care and social services. Their knowledge of homeopathy is often minimal, yet their expectations concerning their illnesses and treatment often reflect homeopathic concepts. Apparently, their general life view corresponds to certain parts of homeopathic philosophy. Homeopathic patients are more critical of medicine in general, and often have negative experiences with conventional medicine. Conventionally treated patients and homeopathically treated patients are equally satisfied with their physicians and treatment. In some cases homeopathic treatment also had positive effects on the patient's mood, sleeping habits, etc. Homeopathic patients tend to have healthier lifestyles than the others. They tend to choose homeopathy for its perceived effectiveness, which is largely based on their own experience, and that of other persons in their social surroundings. Most of the homeopathic patients receive social support for homeopathy. They actively recommend homeopathy and regularly meet others who are also treated homeopathically. Dissatisfaction and negative experiences with conventional treatment may be one reason for turning to homeopathy initially. Long-lasting reasons to continue using homeopathy are: effectiveness, good care of the homeopathic doctors, congruence with the patient's world-view, and greater patient responsibility for his/her own health.