Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Oct;29(10):5873-5881.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06137-5. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Perceptions of homeopathy in supportive cancer care among oncologists and general practitioners in France

J L Bagot  1   2   3 , I Theunissen  4 , A Serral  5
Affiliations

Perceptions of homeopathy in supportive cancer care among oncologists and general practitioners in France

J L Bagot et al. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: In France, homeopathy is the most frequently used complementary therapy in supportive care in oncology (SCO); its use is steadily increasing. However, data is limited about the perception and relevance of homeopathy by oncologists and general practitioners (GPs) both with and without homeopathic training (HGPs and NHGPs, respectively). Our aim was to evaluate French physicians' perceptions of homeopathy to clarify its place in SCO through two original observation survey-based studies.

Materials and methods: Two cross-sectional surveys of French physicians were conducted involving (1) 150 specialist oncologists; (2) 97 HGPs and 100 NHGPs. Questions evaluated physician attitudes to homeopathy and patterns of use of homeopathic therapies in patients requiring SCO. Survey responses were described and analyzed on the basis of physician status.

Results: Ten percent of oncologists stated they prescribe homeopathy; 36% recommend it; 54% think that homeopathy is potentially helpful in SCO. Two-thirds of the NHGPs sometimes prescribe homeopathy in the context of SCO and 58% regularly refer their patients to homeopathic doctors. HGPs have a positive perception of homeopathy in SCO.

Conclusions: Homeopathy is viewed favorably as an integrated SCO therapy by the majority of French physicians involved with cancer patients-oncologists and GPs. Symptoms of particular relevance include fatigue, anxiety, peripheral neuropathy, sleep disturbance, and hot flashes. In such clinical situations, response to conventional therapies may be suboptimal and homeopathy is considered a reliable therapeutic option. These two studies highlight the fact that homeopathy has gained legitimacy as the first complementary therapy in SCO in France.

Keywords: Cancer patient; General practitioner; Homeopathy; Integrative oncology; Oncologist; Supportive care in oncology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

JLB has received grants and personal fees from Boiron SA, Weleda SA and Rochal-Lehning for expert reports, conferences, advisory and training activities. IT has received grants and personal fees from Boiron SA and Teva for expert reports, conferences, advisory and training activities. AS is an employee of Boiron SA.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the designs of the two studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Specialist oncologists’ perspectives on homeopathic therapy as supportive care treatment. a Proportion of specialist oncologists either prescribing or providing patient guidance on homeopathic therapy in their current practice. b Relative dissatisfaction with current available treatments and interest in homeopathic therapy in the management of specific symptoms/side effects of cancer therapy
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Supportive care in oncology as a component of GPs’ clinical time. No significant differences were found
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Utility of homeopathic therapy in clinical practice of homeopathic general practitioners (HGPs). Matrix showing the frequency of specific symptoms and relevance of homeopathic therapy in the experience of HGPs
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Circulaire N″DHOS/SDO/2005/101 du 22 février 2005 relative à l’organisation des soins en cancérologie. Circular of 22 February, 2005, regarding The Organisation of Cancer Care - PubMed
    1. Colombat P, Antoun S, Aubry R, et al. Setting up supportive care in oncology: reflexions and suggestions. Bull Cancer. 2009;96(suppl 2):67–79. - PubMed
    1. Krakowski IBF, Bugat R, Chassignol L, et al. Pour une coordination des soins de support pour les personnes atteintes de maladies graves: proposition d’organisation dans les établissements de soins publics et privés [For a coordination of the supportive care for people affected by severe illnesses: proposition of organization in the public and private health care centres] Oncologie. 2004;6:7–15. doi: 10.1007/s10269-004-0008-9. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Horneber M, Bueschel G, Dennert G, Less D, Ritter E, Zwahlen M. How many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012;11:187–203. doi: 10.1177/1534735411423920. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Akpunar D, Bebis H, Yavan T. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with gynecologic cancer: a systematic review. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16:7847–7852. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2015.16.17.7847. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources