Etat des lieux de lhoméopathie en Belgique
Authors: De Gendt Tom , Desomer Anja , Goosens N. , Hanquet Germaine , Léonard Christian , Mertens Raf , Piérart Julien , Robays Jo , Roberfroid Dominique , Schmitz Olivier , Vinck Imgard , Kohn Laurence 
Published: January 2025

ABREVIATIONS 4 -- 1 INTRODUCTION 6 -- 1.1 BACKGROUND 6 -- 1.2 OBJECTIVES AND METHODS 7 -- 1.3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 7 -- 1.3.1 Definition of homeopathy 7 -- 1.3.2 Homeopathys origins 7 -- 1.3.3 Three key principles 7 -- 1.3.4 19th century: the critique of heroic medicine 9 -- 1.3.5 Migrations 9 -- 1.3.6 From master to masters9 9 -- 1.3.7 Self-organization 9 -- 1.3.8 Popularity history 11 -- 1.3.9 The quest of scientific credibility 11 -- 2 EFFICACY AND ADVERSE EVENTS 13 -- 2.1 INTRODUCTION 13 -- 2.2 METHODS 13 -- 2.2.1 Databases and search terms 13 -- 2.2.2 Selection criteria 14 -- 2.2.3 Quality assessment 14 -- 2.3 RESULTS 14 -- 2.3.1 Reports and papers found 14 -- 2.3.2 Main findings on effects 16 -- 2.3.3 Adverse effects 18 -- 2.3.4 Discussion and conclusions 19 -- 3 USE OF HOMEOPATHY IN BELGIUM 21 -- 3.1 SURVEY AMONG THE POPULATION 21 -- 3.1.1 Objective 21 -- 3.1.2 Methods 21 -- 3.1.3 The use of alternative medicines in general 22 -- 3.1.4 Use of homeopathy 23 -- 3.2 CONSUMPTION OF HOMEOPATIC PRODUCTS 23 -- 3.2.1 Research question 23 -- 3.2.2 Availability of data 24 -- 3.2.3 Conclusion 24 -- 3.3 SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS: USAGE AND PRACTICE OF HOMEOPATHY IN BELGIUM -- TODAY 24 -- 3.3.1 Introduction 24 -- 3.3.2 Objectives 24 -- 3.3.3 Methodology 24 -- 3.3.4 Views of homeopaths 25 -- 3.3.5 The experience of users 36 -- 4 THE PRACTICE 46 -- 4.1 OBJECTIVE 46 -- 4.2 METHODS 46 -- 4.3 RESULTS 46 -- 4.3.1 Response rate 46 -- 4.3.2 Baseline characteristics 46 -- 4.3.3 Training 47 -- 4.3.4 Practice. 48 -- 4.3.5 Workload and profile of patients 50 -- 4.3.6 Age 51 -- 4.3.7 Provider delay 52 -- 4.3.8 Patient referral: 53 -- 4.3.9 Claims for which homeopathy is used. 55 -- 4.3.10 Type of medicines used and type of homeopathy practiced. 56 -- 4.4 DISCUSSION 56 -- 5 ORGANISATIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS 57 -- 5.1 BELGIAN AND EUROPEAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK 57 -- 5.1.1 Introduction 57 -- 5.1.2 Methodology 57 -- 5.1.3 The exercise of conventional healthcare in Belgium under the terms of Royal Decree -- no. 78 57 -- 5.1.4 The exercise of non-conventional medicine in Belgium 59 -- 5.1.5 The relationship between the Colla law and Royal Decree no. 78 65 -- 5.1.6 The consequences of the (non-)conventional exercise of healthcare 67 -- 5.1.7 The exercise of non-conventional medicine in the European context 73 -- 5.1.8 Conclusion concerning the Belgian and European legal framework 74 -- 5.2 THE SITUATION IN THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM 75 -- 5.2.1 Structure of the chapter 75 -- 5.2.2 Netherlands 75 -- 5.2.3 France 77 -- 5.2.4 United Kingdom 79 -- 5.2.5 Conclusion on the situation in the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom 81 -- 5.3 TRAINING IN HOMEOPATHY 81 -- 5.3.1 Introduction 81 -- 5.3.2 Methods 81 -- 5.3.3 Results 82 -- 5.3.4 Discussion 85 -- 5.3.5 Conclusion 85 -- 5.4 PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS 85 -- 5.4.1 Objectives 85 -- 5.4.2 Methods 86 -- 5.4.3 Results 86 -- 5.4.4 Conclusion 89 -- 5.5 PATIENTS ASSOCIATION 90 -- 5.5.1 Objectives 90 -- 5.5.2 Methods 90 -- 5.5.3 Results 90 -- 5.5.4 Conclusion 91 -- 5.6 REIMBURSEMENT POLICY CONCERNING HOMEOPATHY 91 -- 5.6.1 Introduction 91 -- 5.6.2 Methods 91 -- 5.6.3 Results 91 -- 5.6.4 Discussion 92 -- 5.6.5 Conclusion 93 -- 6 OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION 94 -- 6.1 BACKGROUND 94 -- 6.1.1 Objectives and methods 94 -- 6.2 LIMITATIONS 95 -- 6.3 HOMEOPATHY IN BELGIUM: USERS, PRACTITIONERS AND PRACTICES 96 -- 6.3.1 Increasing use of non-conventional forms of medicine 96 -- 6.3.2 Who are the patients? 96 -- 6.3.3 Who are the practitioners? 97 -- 6.3.4 Typical patient route 98 -- 6.3.5 Financial aspects 99 -- 6.3.6 Patient rating 99 -- 6.4 IS THERE EVIDENCE OF EFFICACY? 100 -- 6.4.1 Scientific literature: no evidence of efficacy 100 -- 6.4.2 Patients views 100 -- 6.4.3 What are the risks? 100 -- 6.5 HOW DOES ONE BECOME A HOMEOPATH? 101 -- 6.6 LEGAL FRAMEWORK 101 -- 6.6.1 Background 101 -- 6.6.2 The Colla law 102 -- 6.6.3 Consequences of partial execution of the Colla law 103 -- 6.6.4 Homeopathic remedies 103 -- 7 IN CONCLUSION, WHAT ARE THE FUTURE IMPLICATIONS? 104 -- 7.1 NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF CLINICAL EFFICACY EXISTS 104 -- 7.2 ENFORCING COLLAS LAW? 104 -- 7.3 GUARANTEEING PATIENT SAFETY 104 -- 8 REFERENCES 106