The Good Doctor: A Qualitative Study of German Homeopathic Physicians

Abstract

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to identify the factors that make a good doctor, both from a patient and a physician perspective. Is there a connection between practicing homeopathy and being a good doctor?

Methods:

This was a qualitative study of homeopathically trained physicians and their patients, using observation of patient–physician interactions (n = 29) and interviews with patients (n = 20) and with physicians (n = 4).

Results:

Patients identified the availability of time, both in itself and as a prerequisite for other physician characteristics, as the single most important factor. Other factors include scope of diagnosis/holistic approach, patient-centeredness/empathy, and perceived competence/therapeutic success. Patients did not link these factors to the homeopathic orientation of their physician, while physicians clearly made this connection.

Conclusions:

The findings confirm other studies of patient satisfaction and physician characteristics. The availability of time, a holistic approach, and high physician empathy lead to high patient satisfaction. Homeopathic physicians probably are more likely to exhibit these characteristics.

Practice implications:

Health care policy should create conditions that enable individual physicians to be “good doctors.” For medical education, a stronger emphasis on interpersonal skills and practitioner empathy could lead to higher patient satisfaction and potentially better treatment outcomes. Homeopathy might provide a good role model for this type of education.