Who is a medically qualified homeopath?
Find a Good Homeopath
We will briefly discuss how to locate and identify a qualified homeopath who can help treat your ailment. Let us talk about the following important aspects of it.
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an alternative system of medicine that originated in Germany in 1796. In the early part of the 20th century, about 30% of doctors in the US were homeopaths. However, the number of homeopaths has decreased acrsoss many countries. So, to find a qualified and experinced homeopath is a challange in most cities.
Who is a homeopath?
Professionally and legally, a homeopath is a medically trained professional who studies homeopathy through a full-time course and is certified by the local health authority to practice safely. In some European countries (like England, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Greece, and Sweden), part-time courses are offered, but these are not the best way to ensure complete training.
Lay Homeopaths vs. Medically Trained Homeopaths
As of today, countries such as India, England, the United States, France, Norway, South Africa, the UAE, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland have medically qualified homeopaths who are trained in clinical medicine, diagnosis, pathology, surgery, and related medical sciences.
Academic Standards
However, not many countries offer a full-length homeopathy course comparable to mainstream medical programs like M.B.B.S. or M.D. In several regions, homeopaths have not studied medical subjects in sufficient depth, leading to less qualified practitioners.
To be considered a qualified and trusted homeopath, one must have studied the following subjects in detail:
- Anatomy (for 18 months)
- Physiology (for 18 months)
- Pathology (for 12 months)
- Internal medicine (Minimum 12 months)
- Surgery (Minimum 12 months)
- Gynecology and Obstetrics (Minimum 12 months)
- Preventive and Social Medicine (Minimum 12 months)
- Medico-Legal Medicine (Minimum 12 months)
- Pediatrics, Psychiatry, ENT, Dermatology, etc. (as a part of the course)
- Homeopathic Philosophy (Minimum 3 years)
- Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (Materia Medica) (Minimum 3 years)
- Homeopathic Pharmacy (Minimum 12 months)
- Clinical Medicine (Minimum 2 years)
- Hospital training (Minimum 3 years)
- Hospital training - Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, ENT, Skin, Psychiatry, etc
- Internship (Minimum 1 year)
What Qualification Should My Homeopath Have?
A thorough, full-time study of at least five and a half years, including practical training in hospitals, is required for a homeopath to be granted a doctorate. Such intensive training is available only in a few countries, such as India. It is very important that a homeopath is able to understand medical terminology, read and evaluate various diagnostic investigations (such as blood tests, ECG, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, electromyogram, EEG, etc.), and apply this knowledge in practice to determine and decide the appropriate treatment protocol.
Trust and Credibility
A qualified homeopath should hold a proper medical degree, either a graduate or a postgraduate degree. In most countries, homeopathy is studied after at least 12 years of science education, similar to conventional medical training. It must be a full graduate program, not a short-term course. Choosing a medically trained homeopath ensures someone treats you with a solid science background. Such education makes them trustworthy, credible, and capable of understanding complex medical conditions and planning appropriate treatments.
Homeopathy Beyond Short-Term Courses
In many European countries, including the UK, and in the US, laypeople can take courses that legally permit them to practice homeopathy. However, these do not provide adequate medical training, making it debatable whether such practitioners can genuinely be considered homeopaths.
Without proper medical education, they often fail to understand diseases from a clinical perspective. In countries such as the US, the UK, and the Netherlands, there are two types of homeopaths: medically trained professionals and lay practitioners.
Medical Training of Homeopathic teachers
Homeopathic medical training should be conducted by qualified doctors — both medically trained homeopaths and conventional medical specialists. In India, for example, subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine, Pathology, Surgery, and Gynaecology are taught in homeopathic colleges by experienced doctors from conventional medicine.
In some countries, however, non-medical teachers handle homeopathy education. According to Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD (Homeopathy), this trend has weakened the growth of homeopathy, particularly in Europe, over the past few decades.
UK, USA: Recognized Medical Qualifications Include
U.K.: M.D.
However, the RSHom (Registered Member of the Society of Homeopaths) designation does not provide full-length medical education.
U.S.A.: M.D.
Some schools in the US used to provide non-medical training which have now reduced their activities.
Canada-Recognized Medico Qualifications Include
Canada: CCH (Certified in Classical Homeopathy), DHANP (Diplomat of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians), DHMH (Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Health Sciences), DHt (Diploma of Homeotherapeutics)
India-Recognized Medical Qualifications Include
India: M.D. (Homeopathy), B.H.M.S. (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), L.C.E.H. (Licentiate of the Court of Examiners in Homeopathy), D.H.M.S. (Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
Other countries: Please check with local homeopathic schools. Relevant certificates should be clearly displayed for review in clinics.
How do I identify homeopaths' expertise?
Check the following criteria with the homeopath
- Qualification – Check medical/homeopathic degree (BHMS, MD, etc.)
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Length of Training – Ask about duration + institute name/website
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Medical Background – Confirm proper medical training
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Experience – Ask: “How many cases of this disease have you treated?”
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Chances of Recovery – Get their professional opinion
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References – Request patient feedback, if possible
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Association – Linked with an institute/recognized body
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Prescription – Able to provide a proper prescription
How can I facilitate communication between my homeopath and conventional doctor to my advantage?
- It is desirable that your homeopath and your GP, or conventional doctors, can communicate with each other to provide the best possible treatment for you. It is your right to expect this communication!
- As described earlier, please verify whether your homeopath is trained in medical science, which will enable them to communicate effectively with your local doctor, if necessary.
- If your local doctor could discuss your case with your homeopath, it would work to your advantage.
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