The perceived efficacy of homeopathy and orthodox medicine: a vignette-based study

Objective: This study examined whether people thought neurotics were more likely to 'get better' when using CAM rather than orthodox medicine.

Design: A total of 165 participants completed a four part questionnaire, in which they were required to read eight vignettes (each about 70 words long) describing a British male patient who either visits a Homeopath or General Practitioner with a specific and different medical problem. In the vignette the patient gets better after treatment or remains unwell and they are described as either emotionally balanced (stable) or slightly neurotic in character (2 x 2 x 2 design). Participants were required to rate each vignette on criteria such as, did they think the treatment was effective, and did they think the person would remain feeling better.

Results: Homeopathy was perceived as more effective for treating patients with unstable psychological characteristics and orthodox medicine was seen as more effective for treating patients with stable psychological characteristics. Homeopathy was perceived as more effective by participants who themselves used complementary medicine. Participants who had visited a complementary therapist felt more strongly that psychological factors were important in illness than participants who had never consulted a complementary practitioner. Non-complementary medicine users perceived orthodox medicine to be more effective than complementary users.