Homeopathy and Patient-Centred Approaches to Complementary Healthcare

Abstract

Patient-centred healthcare emphasizes respect for individual preferences, values, needs, communication, participation, and informed decision-making. Homeopathy is a historical system of complementary medicine that some patients choose alongside or instead of conventional healthcare. This paper examines homeopathy through a patient-centred approach, focusing on communication, shared decision-making, individualized consultation, patient preferences, cultural context, safety, evidence, and coordination with conventional healthcare. Homeopathic consultations may provide patients with extended opportunities to describe symptoms and personal experiences, but the interpersonal value of consultation should be distinguished from evidence of treatment effectiveness. Current scientific assessments do not establish homeopathy as an effective treatment for specific medical conditions beyond placebo effects. A responsible patient-centred approach should therefore respect patient autonomy while providing accurate information about evidence, uncertainty, safety, and available alternatives, and should ensure timely referral to evidence-based medical care when necessary.