Attitudes of Hungarian Healthcare Professionals (Mds, Nurses) According To Cam Homeopathy: A Cross-Sectional, Qualitative Accumulated Survey's Data

Abstract

Aim of the study: In Eastern-Central Europe, homeopathy has a long history starting from XIXth century which has however been interrupted and later renewed in 1997. A large number of physicians and pharmacists have been trained in homeopathy since. This survey is aimed to measure attitudes to homeopathy in Hungarian GPs and nurses for pediatric and adult population. Materials and methods: An identical original self-administered questionnaire was submitted in 2012 to 550 general physicians's nurses. 536 (98.9%) women and 6 (1.1%) men replied. Results: Approximately one third of GPs is using homeopathy. The usage of homeopathy is quite similar to other European countries in spite of the controversal and refusal habit of academic medicine. Effects of gender, age and location are weak and inconsistent. Discussion/Conclusions: Homeopathy has firmly been integrated into the Hungarian health care system and has sustained despite the worse economic conditions of the population and no public support from the official health insurance system (only private health insurance companies accepted it). Accumulated survey data were concluded with future achievements of harmonization in this CAM field. The lifestyle advice given by nurses can influence homeopathic usage among patients; further education is necessary for the ethical application of homeopathy and remedies after CEU-courses at University. We emphasize the ethical application of any CAM method, such as homeopathy for patients. CAM courses should be involved into curricula of nurses and MDs according to interest either in basic or in further education