Homeopathic Medicines for Children
Homeopathic Medicines for Children
Many complaints about homeopathy relate to the advice of its practitioners. Several European countries have regulations surrounding the practice of homeopathy, limiting it to medical doctors. However, in the UK homeopathy is practised by lay persons (self-styled 'professional' homeopaths) as well as medical personnel, dentists, vets and other healthcare professionals including nurses and podiatrists. 'Professional' homeopaths may have little or no paediatric training and may not recognise acute severe disease in children. Many lay practitioners seem unwilling to endorse allopathic practice of proven efficacy, such as antimalarial prophylaxis and immunisation. These are dangerous sins of omission, and can lead to serious illness, malnutrition and the death of children.
Not all homeopaths eschew allopathic medicine. The safest and most efficacious use of homeopathy is as a complimentary therapy in conjunction with allopathic care. The Faculty of Homeopathy (the governing body for healthcare professionals) endorses the use of immunisation, although it is unfortunate that they go further in their statement on the immunisation of animals than they do for humans, as they "cannot support leaving animals with no form of prophylactic cover against the major, potentially lethal infectious diseases".
Professional regulation is the key to ensuring the highest standards of practice of integrated medicine. For homeopathy this must extend beyond healthcare professionals, who are already governed by their professional bodies. The Pitillo report (2008) considered the regulation of CAM therapists and concluded that for the safety of the public "it is important that those with whom they consult are properly trained, understand the limits of their competence and know when and to whom to refer".
Safety of Practice
Many complaints about homeopathy relate to the advice of its practitioners. Several European countries have regulations surrounding the practice of homeopathy, limiting it to medical doctors. However, in the UK homeopathy is practised by lay persons (self-styled 'professional' homeopaths) as well as medical personnel, dentists, vets and other healthcare professionals including nurses and podiatrists. 'Professional' homeopaths may have little or no paediatric training and may not recognise acute severe disease in children. Many lay practitioners seem unwilling to endorse allopathic practice of proven efficacy, such as antimalarial prophylaxis and immunisation. These are dangerous sins of omission, and can lead to serious illness, malnutrition and the death of children.
Not all homeopaths eschew allopathic medicine. The safest and most efficacious use of homeopathy is as a complimentary therapy in conjunction with allopathic care. The Faculty of Homeopathy (the governing body for healthcare professionals) endorses the use of immunisation, although it is unfortunate that they go further in their statement on the immunisation of animals than they do for humans, as they "cannot support leaving animals with no form of prophylactic cover against the major, potentially lethal infectious diseases".
Professional regulation is the key to ensuring the highest standards of practice of integrated medicine. For homeopathy this must extend beyond healthcare professionals, who are already governed by their professional bodies. The Pitillo report (2008) considered the regulation of CAM therapists and concluded that for the safety of the public "it is important that those with whom they consult are properly trained, understand the limits of their competence and know when and to whom to refer".
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