Etat des lieux de l'homéopathie en Belgique - KCE

40 Homeopathy KCE Reports 154
3.3.5.4 Users’ experience of treatments
From the users’ perspective, homeopathic treatments are just the tip of the
homeopathic iceberg in the sense that, in general, neither the philosophy nor the
nosology of homeopathy is explained. Patients have access to homeopathy only via the
words, actions and objects comprising the treatments, which are underpinned by
certain fundamental principles of homeopathy, including customisation of treatment,
pathogenesis of the terrain, etc., but ‘translated’ into words and actual practices by the
practitioners whom they consult.
In other words, users have a triple experience of homeopathic medicine: (1) the
experience of a relationship with a homeopath; (2) the experience of an original
‘therapeutic system’ comprising a model of organisation of consultations, a vocabulary, a
concept of health and illness, remedies with which ‘natural’ virtues and specific methods
of use are associated and (3) the observation and perception of the evolution of a
disease, ailment or ‘problem’ treated in a specific way.
1) The homeopathic relationship does not preclude allopathy
Users’ ‘relationship’ with ‘their’ homeopath goes beyond the scope of the confidential
medical relationship between physician and individual patient (colloque singulier) in the
consultations upon which the homeopathic treatment focuses. Users do not tend to
perceive their homeopath as a therapist whom they consult for an ad hoc problem, but
rather as a kind of guarantor of their health who favours a natural and preventive
approach. This concept of the homeopathic practitioner is expressed in part by the
prescription of preventive treatments, which are an important part of the homeopathic
arsenal. The homeopath’s role is not reduced to that of repairer of the body, but is
closer to that of a coach who prepares his or her patient to face the winter with a
preventive treatment against influenza or who prevents hay fever just before spring.
“Il nous propose aussi des traitements de fond pour les enfants avant l’hiver, pour
traverser l’hiver sans soucis… et pour moi aussi, un traitement de fond pour le rhume des
foins..” (User 1)
“Je consulte mon médecin traitant (homéopathe) au moins deux fois par an : en
automne et au printemps, plus si je ne vais pas bien…” (User 2)
A number of users therefore consider it important for their homeopath to be a
trained doctor, given that they refer to the homeopath problems of which they tend
to ignore the severity and which they trust the homeopath to treat in an informed
manner. They therefore expect their homeopath to discriminate between problems for
which homeopathy is appropriate and sufficient, and “serious” or “mechanical”
problems for which an allopathic prescription is required. So, users expect the
homeopathic prescription to draw the line at urgent, difficult and organic cases 72 .
Therefore, underpinning their use of homeopathy, users are expressing a rationale of
discrimination, calling for a better match between ends and means.
“Notre médecin de famille est homéopathe et s’adresse à nous en tant qu’homéopathe.
Cela a quelque chose de rassurant pour moi de savoir qu’il est quand même médecin
généraliste en cas de problème plus grave, ou bien si l’homéopathie rencontre une limite…”
(User 1)
“Zou dus nooit naar een homeopaat gaan die geen dokter is. Dan heb ik daar geen
vertrouwen in. Ik vind dat wel belangrijk dat ze arts is.” (User 8)
“Ce qui est important pour moi, c’est que mon médecin, comme la pédiatre de mon fils,
ont tous les deux fait des études de médecine. Ils peuvent en cas de problème plus grave,
prescrire un autre médicament. Pour mon fils, je voulais quelqu’un qui puisse détecter quand il
s’agit de quelque chose de grave (pneumonie, méningite..) et qui puisse prendre les mesures
adéquates le cas échéant…” (User 5)
For ailments posing no real threat, users appreciate receiving non-toxic homeopathic
treatment. For problems where allopathic medicine is required, they clearly prefer to
receive allopathic treatment, possibly supplemented by homeopathic treatment.