Homeopathy: Science of alternative medicine and application

Homeopathy was discovered by Samuel Hahneman a German physician over 200 years ago. The three important rules are law of similars, law of minimum dose and law of single remedy. The first herb has been used as homeopathic remedy is Cinchona bark which is well-known for treatment of malaria. In addition, law of minimum dose a second law of homeopathy is similarto a principle of the vaccine production. The homeopathy has been used earlier to treat patients with infectious and outbreak diseases. Following the development of health care systems and the discovery of penicillin the role of homeopathy was minimized. Upon the current global illness changed to a chronic illness with the occurrence of antibiotic drugs resistance, the role of many alternative medicine that base on holistic care such as traditional chinese medicine, natural base medicine including homeopathy brought back to health system in several countries. In Thailand, however the medical providers have less knowledge in homeopathy. This article serves to promote the understanding of homeopathy and to demonstrate the applications of homeopathy in foreign countries compared to Thailand and the recommendations for the development of homeopathy in Thailand were elucidated

Situational Analysis of Palliative Care Education in Thai Medical Schools

Objective The Thai Medical School Palliative Care Network conducted this study to establish the current state of palliative care education in Thai medical schools. Methods A questionnaire survey was given to 2 groups that included final year medical students and instructors in 16 Thai medical schools. The questionnaire covered 4 areas related to palliative care education. Results An insufficient proportion of students (defined as fewer than 60%) learned nonpain symptoms control (50.0%), goal setting and care planning (39.0%), teamwork (38.7%), and pain management (32.7%). Both medical students and instructors reflected that palliative care education was important as it helps to improve quality of care and professional competence. The percentage of students confident to provide palliative care services under supervision of their senior, those able to provide services on their own, and those not confident to provide palliative care services were 57.3%, 33.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. Conclusions The lack of knowledge in palliative care in students may lower their level of confidence to practice palliative care. In order to prepare students to achieve a basic level of competency in palliative care, each medical school has to carefully put palliative care content into the undergraduate curriculum