Similia Vol 32 No 1 – June 2020

Authors:  CJ Salter, G Brodie, L Jordan, L Mattiolo, A Manning, S Bhouraskar and DC Levy

Abstract

While the research team for the First National Survey of homeopaths in Australia would like to bring encouraging news about the state of  homeopathic practice, the news is dire. The profession is ageing and vulnerable to extinction. It needs to put in place measures to ensure sustainability through education, research, training and professional cohesion. These measures cannot be left to speculation and action needs to be swift and  focussed. All of us can contribute to the effort to keep the profession personally and collectively present. This National Survey does provide some  good news. It shows the support we are providing in our communities. Baseline data are now available for homoeopaths and patient demographics in  Australia. We can see ‘who we are, where we are,’ and ‘how we are’ supporting the health needs of our community. Homeopaths see patients of all  ages from birth to their late 80s. The health needs of our community are supported in areas spanning mental health, general needs, gastrointestinal  and skin conditions. The core issue is sustainability. If we don’t exist as a profession how will the community continue to receive the support  homeopathy offers? Our discussion examines some key areas to consider to enhance sustainability including education, regulation, training, and  research, and we pose some unanswered questions for future studies.