A needs analysis to determine the viability of a short course on homeopathy for general medical doctors in eThekweni

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The medical profession has an obligation to prioritize patient’s health and to ensure that patients have enough information to make proper health decisions. This can onlybe possible if there is adequate knowledge of treatment options amongst the general medical practitioners. Homoeopathy is becoming more accepted by the general public which means that the health workers need to have enough knowledge to handle cases successfully. Therefore, short training on homoeopathy may be required for them to have an insight of homoeopathy as a treatment option. It was noted that before implementing the short course on homoeopathy for general medical practitioners, a needs analysis should be conducted. This study investigated the need for a short course in homoeopathy for general medical doctors in the eThekwini/Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. The study focused on gathering data from general medical doctors in terms of their requirements to formulate a course specifically designed to address their identified needs in respect of knowledge deficits in homoeopathy as well as establishing their interest if such a short course was availed to them. AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish the perceptions and attitudes of general medical practitioners on a short course in homoeopathy for general medical practitioners. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research was done. By means of a semi structured interview guide, a measurement of views on the understanding of homoeopathy and perceptions on the need to obtain knowledge in homoeopathy through the short course for general medical practitioners was conducted. Tesch’s Eight Step method was used to analyze the collected data. CONCLUSION: This study discovered that there is a deficiency of homoeopathic knowledge amongst the general medical practitioners in the eThekwini/Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. However, the study was able to establish an earnest interest amongst general medical practitioners to be equipped with the knowledge and understanding on homoeopathy to manage patients successfully.