Research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students in West Bengal

A survey exploring research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students in West Bengal, India

Malay Mundle1, Subhranil Saha2, Munmun Koley2,
Jogendra Singh Arya2, Gurudev Choubey2, Sangita Saha3, Aloke Ghosh4,
Subhasish Ganguly5, Shubhamoy Ghosh6

  1. Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal University of Health Sciences, India
  2. Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Siliguri, CCRH, Government of India
  3. Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India
  4. Midnapore Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India
  5. D. N. De Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India
  6. Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, India 

ABSTRACT
Background: Prioritizing undergraduate research is emphasized to develop critical analytical skills and thinking, independent writing, future clinical practice, enhanced employability, and improved research productivity. Despite far reaching consequences, research perception of homeopathic undergraduate students has barely been investigated to date.

Poor participation of homeopathic undergraduates in research is reflected by a single MEDLINE indexed publication with adequate students’ contribution in the last decade.

We aimed to assess their knowledge and attitude towards research and to identify barriers towards successful conduct of research.

Methods: Institutional cross-sectional survey was carried out during August-September, 2013 in the four Government undergraduate homeopathic schools in West Bengal, India involving 902 participants.

A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for the purpose depending on earlier studies on medical undergraduates. 364 completed responses were analyzed in the end.

Results:
Study sample mostly spanned 18-25 years of age group (94%), belonged to urban families (44.8%), with no gender differences (almost 1:1) and no physicians in family (73.1%). Maximum complete responses were obtained from 3rd year students (61.5%) and students of Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital (51.2%).

In spite of willingness to participate and keeping a positive attitude towards research, current involvement, training, knowledge and awareness remained quite unsatisfactory. Lack of infrastructure was identified as the chief barrier towards research.

Conclusion: Undergraduates had a positive attitude towards homeopathic research, but need a realistic understanding of the research process. Opportunities for research skill development are underdeveloped.

Keywords: Undergraduate homeopathic students, India, research perception

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2 Comments

  1. Homeopathy is only curative .but now a days we use management and tretment of disesses both.
    earlier only tretment was given by practitioner .diagnosise,prognosises,management and tretment of dis.all.There shoud be differance between doctor and practitioner.

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