Faculty of Homeopathy



Faculty of Homeopathy

PHARMACY DIPLOMA [DFHom (Pharm)]

&

PHARMACY MEMBERSHIP [MFHom (Pharm)]

PROGRAMME & EXAMINATIONS

[pic]

GUIDELINES

2016

CONTENTS

SECTION 1 – DFHom (Pharm) examination guidance

A. Introduction..………………………………………………………………………… . 3

B. The examination………………………………………………………………..…… 3

C. Entry criteria……………..……………………………………………………..……. 4

0. Applications……..………………………………………………………….. 4

1. Entry to the examination room…..…………………………………..…… 5

D. Results ……………….………………………………………..………………….… 5

E. Practical details…..………………………………………………………...…..…… 5

2. Venues and fees…..…………………………………………………..…... 5

3. Overseas students…..………………………………………………..…… 5

4. Withdrawals and transfers…..……………………………………….....… 6

5. Re-sitting the examination…..………………………………………….… 6

6. Appeals…………………..…..………………………………………...…… 6

7. Faculty contact details…..………………………………………………… 6

F. Faculty membership………………………………………………………………... 6

G. Proceeding to the MFHom (Pharm)……………………………………… …….… 6

SECTION 2 – The DFHom (Pharm) programme

A. Assessment format.…………………………...…………………………..……..… 7

B. Core curriculum......………………………………........................…..…………... 9

C. Sample examination questions………………....…………….………...….…… 14

D. Sample format for case histories (DFHom)…………………….……………… 14

E. Teaching schedule………………………………………………….……………. 16

F. Recommended texts…………………………………………………………...… 16

SECTION 3 – The MFHom (Pharm) programme

A. Assessment format.…………………………...………………………………… 17

B. Core curriculum......………………………………...............................….….... 18

C. Sample format for case histories (MFHom)…………………………………… 24

D. Teaching Schedule.…………………………...……………………………..….. 31

E. Recommended texts…………………………………………………..……….... 31

SECTION 4 – Profiles of the Homeopathic Pharmacist

A. Faculty profiles for Pharmacists……………...…………………..………….…. 32

SECTION 1

A. Introduction

This document will assist you by providing:

❖ guidance when applying for the DFHom (Pharm) examination

❖ information about the structure and content of the examination

Please read Section 1 of this document before applying to take the examination. You should retain this document until you have completed the entire examination since you will need to refer to it at various times.

Section 2 provides detailed information about the format of the examination – how you will be tested, what you will be tested on and how your performance will be assessed. To ensure that you are fully prepared for each part of the examination please read this section carefully. An outline of the core curriculum is provided, as well as sample questions, sample case histories to aid you with expected format and presentation, and recommended texts for further reading.

Section 3 outlines the additional components required for those candidates wishing to proceed to the MFHom (Pharm) qualification

Section 4 provides profiles of knowledge and practice pertinent for Pharmacists attaining each Faculty level of qualification.

B. The examination

The DFHom (Pharm) is a second level qualification for pharmacists who have passed the PHCE and continue to use their knowledge of homeopathy within defined bounds of competence for their profession.

Pharmacists who have completed a Faculty-accredited course of study based on this curriculum will be eligible to sit the examination for the DFHom (Pharm). This will consist of:

1) One assignment of approx 3500 words on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the course director at the centre of study. This assignment will be marked by a course tutor and moderated by the external examiner from the Faculty.

2) A portfolio of five case histories collected during training using the following format:

History

Symptoms

Repertorisation

Choice of Remedy

Follow up

The cases will be marked by a course tutor at the accredited teaching centre and externally moderated.

Items 1 & 2 will need to be completed and submitted with your application form for parts 3 & 4.

Parts 3 & 4 will be held on the same day when feasible.

3) A 3-hour written paper comprising questions in short answer and essay format.

4) An oral examination of approximately 20 minutes duration on any aspect of homeopathic pharmacy, conducted by the external examiner on a date set out on the Faculty of Homeopathy exams calendar – it will be on the same day as the exam

Results of the exam will be sent to the candidates within one month of the written exam and viva.

C. Entry criteria

Important note: the following regulations apply to all candidates entering the DFHom (Pharm) examination. The Faculty reserves the right to refuse admission to any part of the DFHom (Pharm) examination. These requirements will be similar for those applying for the MFHom (Pharm) examination.

Applications must be made on the appropriate form available from the Faculty academic office. The application form, fully completed and accompanied by the appropriate fee and any other documents required, must reach the Faculty academic office in London before the published closing date (usually two months prior to the examination). Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The section numbers below correspond to the section numbers on the application form.

Applications

SECTION 1: PRIMARY PHARMACY QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must:

❖ possess a university degree, or equivalent, in pharmacy

❖ hold a pharmacy qualification recognised by, or registerable with, the General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

Candidates must provide their GPhC/PSNI registration number or evidence that their primary pharmacy qualification is registerable with these bodies.

Important – overseas candidates

Your primary pharmacy qualification must be registerable with the GPhC/PSNI. Candidates must provide a photocopy of their pharmacy degree (if it is not in English, an official, stamped translation must be provided).

SECTION 2: PRIOR FACULTY MEMBERSHIP

Candidates must have passed the Primary Health Care Examination for pharmacists, and must have been Licensed Associates of the Faculty of Homeopathy for at least three months in order to apply for the DFHom (Pharm) examination. In addition, candidates must have had at least one years’ experience post-PHCE prior to sitting the DFHom (Pharm) examination.

SECTION 3: COMPLETION OF FACULTY-ACCREDITED TRAINING

The DFHom (Pharm) examination is only open to students who have completed relevant Faculty-accredited training, unless applying as a special case for admission (see Section 2B).

Where requested, candidates must provide a copy of their certificate to confirm completion of a full course of training leading to the LFHom(Pharm)

SECTION 4: COURSE WORK

Two copies of the five case histories and the assignment marked by a course tutor must accompany the application form and fee. These documents must be submitted a minimum of two months prior to the examination date.

Further guidance about the presentation of case histories for the DFHom (Pharm) can be found in Section 2D of this document.

Entry to the examination room

PROOF OF IDENTITY

Candidates will be admitted to the examination in their full name as given on their original pharmacy registration certificates, or pharmacy qualification documents, or official translations of these, or as in the current edition of the Register of the General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. When candidates attend any part of the examination, they must produce upon request some means of identification in addition to the admission document. Admission to the examination will be at the discretion of the invigilator.

CHANGE OF NAME

Candidates who change their name by marriage or deed poll must submit documentary proof of this if they wish to be admitted to the examination in their new name.

D. Results

Results may not be collected from the Faculty office, nor can they be given over the telephone. Final results of the DFHom (Pharm) examination and assessments will be sent by email within one month of the examination.

E. Practical details

Venues and fees

Faculty accredited teaching centres are located around the UK but not all will offer higher level training for pharmacists. Contact the teaching centre directly or main office in London for further information.

Details of the fees payable on entry to the DFHom (Pharm) examination are published annually and are also available from the London office.

Cheques should be made payable, in sterling, to the Faculty of Homeopathy.

Overseas students

If English is not your native language you may use a foreign language dictionary. Your dictionary will be scrutinised by the invigilator before the exam.

Withdrawals and transfers

Notice of withdrawal from the examination must be given in writing and accompanied by the admission document if received.

The examination fee less a 10% administrative charge will be refunded when notice of withdrawal is received before the published closing date. No other refunds will normally be made. The Faculty will consider refund on withdrawal because of certified illness.

Candidates are limited to a maximum of two transfers only.

Re-sitting the examination

Re-sits by candidates who fail badly may be deferred at the discretion of the Faculty for a period of time.

Candidates can apply to re-sit the exam up to four times; any additional attempts to sit the exam must be approved by the Pharmacy Dean.

Candidates who have failed the written paper but who have passed the case history section of the examination may apply to re-sit the written part without submitting new case histories, and will pay a reduced examination fee to reflect this.

Appeals

If you would like to appeal the result of the examination, you must send your written appeal to the Academic Office, Faculty of Homeopathy, CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London, N1 6AH. Appeals must be sent within one month of receipt of results.

Faculty contact details

Academic Office, Faculty of Homeopathy, CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London, N1 6AH. Tel: 01582 408680 or 020 3640 5903 Website:

F. Faculty membership

Candidates who are successful in the examination and are elected by the Faculty of Homeopathy may use the initials DFHom (Pharm) once formally elected a Diplomate.

The candidate’s name will be presented to the Faculty Council and, if elected, the candidate will receive the Diploma of Diplomate Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy and will be eligible to use the designatory letters DFHom (Pharm).

Diplomates of the Faculty of Homeopathy are elected subject to the Faculty of Homeopathy Act 1950, including its current Byelaws and Regulations.

G. Proceeding to the MFHom(Pharm)

Diplomates of the Faculty are eligible to undertake a programme of study leading to the award of the MFHom (Pharm).

SECTION 2 – DFHom (Pharm)

A. Assessment format

Case histories

EXPECTED CONTENT

Candidates should present five cases, each of no more than 1000 words, to illustrate different types of patient and clinical diagnoses, repertory rubric selection, case analysis and homeopathic treatment strategies. One or two cases of unsuccessful treatment are as acceptable as successful cases where they demonstrate a good understanding of therapeutic principals, patient care, obstacles to cure, irrespective of the outcome.

❖ Choose a range of clinical cases and remedies with which you are familiar to give a balance and show the type of work you undertake in your practice.

❖ Be precise and accurate, mention patient expectations as well as your clinical management.

❖ Keep to a standardised format eg: medical history; remedy used, potency and frequency; results; conclusion and discussion.

❖ Include a critical appraisal of each case presented.

❖ Remember what we can all learn from results – failures as well as successes. Cases which demonstrate good case management and understanding of the principles of homeopathy are as important as successful outcomes. A log-diary is not just a method for portraying homeopathic pharmacy care and treatment carried out for a patient in your practice: it is useful for measuring behaviour and attitudes.

PRESENTATION

A4 paper should be used and the case histories should be no longer than 1000 words. The cases should be kept together by a convenient lightweight method (such as treasury tags) that ensures secure assembly of the papers to facilitate easy postage to examiners. Ring binders are not acceptable.

All cases should be typed in double line spacing with wide margins and two copies submitted. Case histories held by the Faculty will be retained for at least three calendar months after close of retention. Each case should be numbered separately and the whole presentation prefaced by an index of cases.

The last page of the presentation should consist of a declaration that the work has been undertaken by the candidate in the words: ‘I declare that the cases presented here are a record of my own work and management and agree to their retention and use by the Faculty’, followed by the signature of the candidate and date.

ASSESSMENT

Cases will be marked by the a course tutor and moderated by the external examiner.

The criteria listed on the next page will be used by the examiners when judging case histories by DFHom (Pharm) candidates. Candidates are advised to use these to augment the sample given in section 2D.

A good case study should:

❖ Be complete – that is sufficiently comprehensive in respect of the presenting problem.

❖ Demonstrate competence in conventional clinical management.

❖ Show the quality of rapport with the patient, and awareness of non-verbal clues.

❖ Clearly identify key symptoms, and their relative value (weighting).

❖ Emphasise the individualising characteristics of the patient, the illness and the case.

❖ Show appropriate symptom selection for case analysis or repertorisation.

❖ Demonstrate appropriate and competent use of the repertory and/or materia medica.

❖ Include appropriate and intelligent discussion of the differential diagnosis of the homeopathic prescription.

❖ Explain clearly the rationale for the choice of medicine, potency and dosage regime.

❖ Demonstrate adequate and intelligent follow-up.

❖ Provide intelligent and critical appraisal of the case.

Assignment

The assigmnent should be written in a critical scientific style with an abstract and citing references from published literature and internet in an approved Harvard style. The assigment should be 3500 (±10%) words in length. Candidates may be penalised if their work does not conform to any of these requirements.

Written examination

There will be one written paper of three hours duration, comprising questions in short answer and essay format. All candidates must submit the same number of answers within the allocated time period but there will be some degree of choice as to which questions the candidate may choose to address.

If a language dictionary is required, the candidate must also present this for scrutiny before the start of the examination. No coats, cases or other books may be brought into the examination. Handbags must be visible to the invigilator throughout the examination. Write legibly. The quality of your answer may be compromised if the examiner cannot read your handwriting.

Each short answer question will carry 10 marks and each essay question will carry 30 marks. Candidates should use this information to guide them as to how detailed or extensive a particular answer should be. The questions will cover principles and practice, materia medica and clinical applications.

ASSESSMENT

Each candidate’s papers will be marked by a course tutor and moderated by the external examiner. Marks for the paper as a whole will be accumulated as a percentage. The pass mark is 50%.

Oral examination

In addition to the written paper, candidates will be asked to take part in a viva voce. This will last approximately 20-30 minutes and may include questions about the assignment and case histories submitted by the candidate. The candidate should additionally expect to be examined on any aspect of homeopathic pharmacy.

B. Core curriculum

Admission to the diploma course

A qualified pharmacist currently registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, or a similar body overseas, will be eligible for enrolment providing he or she can fulfil either of the following criteria:

❖ Is a Licensed Associate (Pharmacy) of the Faculty of Homeopathy

❖ Has completed (or is about to complete) a basic level course in homeopathy accredited by the Faculty of Homeopathy

Special cases for admission to the diploma course

Pharmacists possessing relevant experience or qualifications gained outwith the Faculty may apply to join the DFHom course as a special case. Such applications should be made in writing in the first instance to the Academic Office.

Overview

The diploma course seeks to build on the basic introductory knowledge provided by the PHCE, revising certain important concepts and extending the candidates’ understanding of others. It is targeted towards the special requirements of pharmacists.

The course is intended to extend over 12-24 months, representing a minimum of six taught day sessions and a minimum of 60 hours self study (including preparation time), but this period may be varied at the discretion of the Academic Board.

Much of the subject matter listed here replicates the syllabus of the PHCE curriculum. The full syllabus and the differentiation of knowledge, skills and attributes for different levels of study (PHCE, DFHom and MFHom) are fully specified in The Faculty profiles for Pharmacists (see Section 4). A progressing breadth and depth of knowledge of philosophy and principles at diploma level should be assumed.

AIMS OF HIGHER LEVEL TRAINING FOR PHARMACISTS:

To provide instruction in advanced aspects of homeopathic theory

To stimulate a more proactive approach to homeopathic prescribing in the pharmacy

To improve therapeutic outcomes by ensuring more accurate prescribing

To ensure the availability of high quality homeopathic remedies and accurate

dispensing

To enable pharmacists to discuss the discipline more knowledgeably with colleagues

and patients

To foster a critical awareness of research and evidence based practice

To facilitate academic interaction with colleagues

To facilitate the award of a higher qualification and to raise the profile of homeopathic

pharmacy

To achieve compliance with the requirements for professional competence in areas of

specialism required by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society as set out in the current

Medicines, Ethics and Practice guide.

Philosophy & principles of homeopathic practice

Basic concepts

❖ The Similia principle, its history and development

❖ The ‘Vital force’ and related concepts

❖ Constitution and typology

❖ Miasms, inheritance and the immune system

Therapeutic principles

❖ The dynamics of health, disease and cure

❖ Theories of chronic disease and chronic prescribing - layers

❖ Symptomatology ~ Individuality; local symptoms; totality of symptoms, hierarchy of symptoms, evaluation of symptoms and levels of illness

❖ The direction of cure and obstacles to cure

❖ Concepts of disease suppression

❖ Concept of the minimum dose: primary and secondary drug action

❖ Speed of response and repetition of dose

❖ Comparison of traditional (e.g. Hahnemannian, Kentian) and the more modern approaches to homeopathy

❖ Homeopathic prescribing: the unicist, pluralist and complex approaches

❖ The Organon: critical study of the Organon in the context of contemporary practice

Homeopharmaceutics

Manufacturing remedies

The Pharmacopoeia ~ working knowledge of the German and British pharmacopoeias. An appreciation of the variation between various national pharmacopoeias.

International variations in nomenclature.

Quality assurance and quality control.

Preparation of remedies ~ theory and practice of preparing remedies: sources, extraction, dilution, trituration, succussion.

Potentisation ~ different methods of potentisation: Theories and procedures of Hahnemannian centesimal and decimal, LM and Korsakovian scales.

Dose forms: tablets, pills, granules, crystals, powders, liquids, topical forms

❖ Isopathic preparation of allergodes, sarcodes, nosodes and tautopathic remedies.

❖ Stability: Appropriate storage conditions. Stability considerations. Preservation and destruction of potency.

Posology

❖ Discuss special dose forms, powders, and trituration tablets

❖ The size and frequency of dosing (relevant concepts from physiology)

❖ Containers: knowledge of the importance of using certain types of containers

Dispensing prescriptions

❖ Revision from PHCE

Legal issues

❖ Knowledge of the European Directive and abbreviated licensing procedures, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), European Directive and licensing issues

Homeotherapeutics - Clinical skills

Use of homeopathy

❖ The distinction between homeopathy and other complementary therapies (herbalism,

nutriceuticals etc).

❖ Patient communication; ability to advise patients on the scope and value of homeopathy for their needs.

❖ The scope for the use of homeopathy in pharmacy practice: limits of professional competency and referral

❖ Responding to symptoms and referral skills

Case analysis

❖ Case taking in the pharmacy environment; asking the right questions and keeping records.

Defining symptoms; mental, emotional and physical

Rubrics and grades; modalities

Materia Medica

❖ Working knowledge of Materia Medicae - Boericke, Kent, Vermeulen (course text)

❖ Knowledge of acute keynotes of the following remedies:

|Acidum phosphoricum |Graphites |

|Aconitum napellus |Hamamelis virg |

|Allium cepa |Hepar sulphuris |

|Antimonium tartaricum |Hypericum perfoliatum |

|Apis mellifica |Ignatia amara |

|Argentum nitricum |Ipecacuanha |

|Arnica montana |Kalium bichromicum |

|Arsenicum album |Kalium carbonicum |

|Bryonia alba |Ledum palustre |

|Calc carbonica |Mercurius solubilis |

|Calc phosphorica |Natrum muriaticum |

|Calendula officinalis |Nux vomica |

|Camphora |Phosphorus |

|Cantharis |Pulsatilla |

|Caulophyllum |Rhus toxicodendron |

|Causticum |Ruta graveolens |

|Chamomilla |Sepia off |

|China officianalis |Silicea |

|Cocculus indica |Staphisagria |

|Coffea cruda |Sulphur |

|Colocynthis |Symphytum |

|Crataegus |Thuja occidentalis |

|Drosera rotundifolia |Urtica urens |

|Euphrasia Off | |

|Ferrum phosphoricum | |

|Gelsemium sempervivens | |

Repertory

❖ A working knowledge of the modern repertory – Synthesis (course text)

❖ Awareness of classic repertories eg Boericke, Kent

❖ Computerised repertories: an awareness of the main features of computerised repertories.

Prescribing – general principles

❖ Prescribing strategies: local remedies and specifics, totality, keynotes, essences, strange and peculiar reactions.

❖ Identifying and managing adverse drug reactions and aggravation; safety issues; counselling

Acute counter prescribing

Knowledge of how to treat a range of common acute conditions within appropriate limits of competence, and with regard to potential interactions, including:

❖ Allergies

❖ Catarrh, colds, coughs and influenza

❖ Cystitis

❖ Dental applications

❖ Ear and eye problems

❖ First aid: superficial abrasions, soft tissue injuries, burns

❖ G/I disorders including constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting

❖ Indigestion and colic

❖ Mild mental states: anxiety, fright and grief

❖ Pain: including headaches, low back pain, muscular and rheumatic

❖ Pregnancy: remedies associated with ante-natal problems

❖ Premenstrual syndrome

❖ Problems associated with travel: motion sickness, sun burn

❖ Skin conditions

❖ Sports related problems

❖ Teenage problems

❖ Veterinary applications

Constitutional prescribing

❖ The concept of constitutional prescribing illustrated with reference to:

. Arsenicum album

. Calcarea carbonica

. Lycopodium clav

. Natrum muriaticum

. Nux vomica

. Phosphorus

. Pulsatilla

. Sepia

. Sulphur

❖ The role of constitutional prescribing in the pharmacy.

Common complex remedies

❖ Knowledge of the constituents and indications of common complex remedies e.g. ABC, AGE, RRA, and SSC.

Topical treatments

❖ Indications for the use of topical presentations of common homeopathic remedies, including:

o Arnica

o Calendula officinalis

o Euphrasia

o Hypericum

o Hypericum and Calendula (‘Hypercal’)

o Rhus toxicodendron

o Ruta graveolens

o Tamus

o Thuja occidentalis

o Urtica urens

Homeopathy in other disciplines

❖ A brief overview of homeopathy as used by colleagues in other health professions

❖ Inter-disciplinary co-operation

❖ Limitations of veterinary use by non-veterinarians

Self treatment

Basic concepts of self treatment

❖ Psychological theory and the practice of self-treatment

❖ Characteristics of the OTC environment

Self treating with homeopathy

❖ Characteristics of patients and their chosen treatments

❖ Sources of advice

Evaluation and research

Evaluation

❖ Quality assurance and clinical audit; outcome studies

❖ Efficacy and effectiveness; evidence of effectiveness

Research techniques

❖ Methodology design, research protocols, problems of homeopathic research

❖ The main approaches to conducting homeopathic research: mechanisms of action, randomised clinical trials, placebo studies, attitudes and awareness studies.

Critical appraisal

❖ Critical assessment of historic and modern papers

C. Sample examination questions

Short answer questions

i) Discuss the common dosage forms available for homeopathy in the UK and

asses the relative advantages of each.

ii) Explain the quality standards applied to homeopathic remedies in the UK

Essay questions

i) Define the unicist, pluralist and complex approaches to homeopathic

treatment. Discuss the use of each in the pharmacy environment.

ii) Explain the theory of isopathy and the preparation of all four types of isopathic remedy. Illustrate your answer with examples of each type and their clinical relevance to prescribing in the pharmacy.

D. Sample format for case histories to be submitted for the DFHom (Pharm)

History

This lady is quite stout. She has a cheery disposition and a smile for everyone. She likes sweets and chocolates. Also, she has an issue with food like Chinese and mayonnaise, she hates the texture of them and says they are slimy. She prefers plain food without cheese.

This lady does not have a lot of energy. This may be due to the fact she is not sleeping well. She cannot seem to stay asleep.

She doesn’t sleep without a light on.

Her complexion is pale and a bit pasty. She is also overweight.

Years ago her gall bladder was removed. She has some sort of cyst behind her knee. When she is not well she describes herself as contrary and stubborn.

Symptoms & acute prescription

She energetically said that she snores ‘like a train’.

She has arthritic pains and finds that heat is very good at relieving that. The pain increases when she is stationary for a long time, especially in the knee and back area.

Her cupboards are ‘packed with rubbish’, she confesses with much feeling. She feels she cannot throw things out, as she might need it at some time.

Was on the shop floor and was not appropriate to repertorise fully. Initially treated the more acute problem ie the arthritic pains that were eased with heat and were worse first thing in the morning, stiffness and pain which were worse for staying still.

Mind –

Cheery disposition

Contrary

Stubborn

Generals –

Likes sweets & Chocolate - Overweight

Dislikes slimy food, cheese

No energy

Not sleeping - Cannot stay asleep

Locals –

Complexion pale and pasty

Gall bladder problems

Cyst behind knee

Modalities –

Pain better for heat

Worse for staying still

Peculiars –

Cannot sleep without a light on

Snores like a train

Hoards

Rhus Tox. 30c one daily for 3 days. 30c since we were dealing with physical symptoms and only for 3 days as I did not want a proving of Rhus tox.

Repertorisation

4 weeks later spoke to patient and she informed me the immediate pain had eased a lot, not completely disappeared but easier to live with, but she was still having severe problems sleeping and experiencing fatigue. I repertorised the case and came up with the following:

Rubrics

Mind – Contrary

Mind- Obstinate

Generals – Food - sweet desire

Generals – Food – slimy aversion

Respiration – snoring - loud

Calc carb was indicated following repertorisation, being the chronic of Rhus tox I thought this was a good sign. I prescribed Calc carb 30c, one daily for 3 days. Perhaps 200c would have been more appropriate as I believe this is the patient’s constitution. However, in shop environment and patient did not want to wait for a special order.

Follow up

3 weeks later – huge improvement. Patient was sleeping better and occasional completely pain free days.

E. Teaching schedule

The times specified below represent the suggested minimum for completing the various requirements of this course.

❖ Face to face teaching including workshops: 50 hours

❖ Preparation time for classes: 10 hours

❖ Assignment: 25 hours

❖ Additional Self-study including workbooks: 20 hours

❖ Preparation of case studies: 15 hours

❖ Practical experience: 10 hours

One day spent observing a homeopathic practitioner in medical or veterinary practice and a further one-day in a homeopathic pharmacy (either hospital, industry or community)

F. Recommended texts

Course Texts

❖ Kayne SB. Homeopathic Pharmacy Theory and Practice 2nd edition. Churchill Livingstone 2007

❖ Kayne SB & Kayne LR. Homeopathic Prescribing Pocket Companion. Pharmaceutical Press (now Saltire Books) 2007

❖ Vermeulen F. Ultimate Prisma Collection vol I: The Concordant Reference 2nd edition. Saltire Books 2015

❖ Schroyens, F. The Essential Synthesis Repertory. B.Jain 2009

Further guidance will be given during the course regarding additional reference texts and resources.

SECTION 3 – MFHom (Pharm)

A. Assessment format

The MFHom (Pharm) is the third level qualification for pharmacists. Students cannot embark on MFHom (Pharm) training until they have passed the DFHom (Pharm) assessment. There are four parts to the MFHom (Pharm) assessment. The assessment will consist of the following elements:

1. Case histories

Candidates should be familiar with the guidance notes for the DFHom (Pharm) above but should direct their attention to the following additional requirements for the MFHom (Pharm).

❖ Candidates should present six new cases (i.e. not from DFHom)

❖ These cases should reflect the advanced clinical nature of the MFHom (Pharm)

❖ Each case should be composed of 1000-2000 words

Sample case histories for the MFHom (Pharm) may be found in section 3C.

PRESENTATION

A4 paper should be used and the case histories should be no longer than 2000 words. The cases should be kept together by a convenient lightweight method (such as treasury tags) that ensures secure assembly of the papers to facilitate easy postage to examiners. Ring binders are not acceptable.

All cases should be typed in double line spacing with wide margins and two copies submitted. Case histories held by the Faculty will be retained for at least three calendar months after close of retention. Each case should be numbered separately and the whole presentation prefaced by an index of cases.

The last page of the presentation should consist of a declaration that the work has been undertaken by the candidate in the words: ‘I declare that the cases presented here are a record of my own work and management and agree to their retention and use by the Faculty’, followed by the signature of the candidate and date.

ASSESSMENT

Cases will be marked by a course tutor and moderated by the Faculty’s external examiner.

2. Clinical Skills

Candidates will be assessed in the management of one live case by a pharmacist of appropriate clinical experience. If the candidate wishes to use this assessment as part of the requirements for supplementary or independent prescribing, a General Physician may also be invited to participate. The course director will help arrange the clinical skills assessment.

3. Teaching skills

Candidates for the MFHom (Pharm) will need to deliver two teaching sessions on any Faculty accredited course. The course director will help to make arrangements. Students will be assessed by a course tutor during the delivery of teaching. Assessment will be made in the following categories on a scale of 1 to 10 – content, style, delivery, clarity, ability to answer questions.

Candidates achieving a score of 30 or higher in two sessions will pass this requirement. There is no limit on the number of sessions that may be assessed.

4. Oral examination

After satisfactory completion of parts 1,2, & 3 candidates for the MFHom (Pharm) can apply to take part in a viva voce as the final part of the assessment process. This will last approximately 30-40 minutes and may include questions about the case histories. The candidate should additionally expect to be examined on all aspects of materia medica and homeopathic pharmacy. Candidates when applying must provide written proof from their course director of passing parts 2 & 3.

B. Core Curriculum

ADVANCED ASPECTS OF HOMEOPATHIC PHARMACY

Two specialist pharmacy teaching are included in the curriculum to include the following topics:

- bounds of competence

- supplementary and independent prescribing

- working in a clinical team

- integrating homeopathy into orthodox practice as a specialist

- quality assurance – audit, etc

- advanced case-taking and repertorisation

- revision from Diploma

Homeotherapeutics - Clinical skills

Candidates must attend a total of EIGHT full teaching days on any Faculty accredited MFHom course. These may be undertaken at any teaching centre.

This modular nature allows a candidate to pursue a specialist course of study comprising tailored modules. Therefore, there can be no specific curriculum for this section of the course.

Homeotherapeutics - MATERIA MEDICA

The knowledge of materia medica gained by those candidates successful in the MFHom (Pharm) will be broadly equivalent to the MFHom in other disciplines but will also reflect the specialist nature of pharmacy practice, Requirements are summarised on the following pages and will be tested in depth during the oral examination.

| |

| |

| |

|Knowledge of Materia Medica required at the level of MFHom (Pharm) |

|Grade 1 remedy |

|Comprehensive knowledge of all remedy characteristics required |

|Grade 2 remedy |

|Knowledge of the key materia medica and common acute presentations required |

|Grade 3 remedy |

|Basic knowledge of the remedy and clinical use required |

| |

|Grade 1 |Grade 2 |Grade 3 |

|Aconite | | |

| | |Aesculus hippocastanum |

| | |Aethusa cynapium |

| | |Agaricus muscarius |

| | |Agnus castus |

| |Allium cepa | |

| | |Aloe socotrina |

| | |Alumina |

| | |Ambra grisea |

| | |Ammonium carbonicum |

| | |Amyl nitrosum |

| | |Anacardium orientale |

| | |Antimonium crudum |

| |Antimonium tartaricum | |

|Apis mellifica | | |

| | |Argentum metallicum |

|Argentum nitricum | | |

|Arnica montana | | |

|Arsenicum album | | |

| |Arsenicum iodatum | |

|Aurum metallicum | | |

| | |Aurum muriaticum |

| |Bach remedies - various | |

| | |Bacillinum |

| | |Baptisia tinctoria |

|Baryta carbonica | | |

|Belladonna | | |

| |Bellis perennis | |

| | |Berberis vulgaris |

| | |Borax |

| | |Bowel nosodes |

|Bryonia alba | | |

| | |Cactus grandiflorus |

|Calcarea carbonica | | |

| | |Calcarea fluorata |

|Calcarea phosphorica | | |

| | |Calcarea silicata |

| | |Calcarea sulphurica |

| |Calendula officinalis | |

|Knowledge of Materia Medica required at the level of MFHom (Pharm) |

|Grade 1 remedy |

|Comprehensive knowledge of all remedy characteristics required |

|Grade 2 remedy |

|Knowledge of the key materia medica and common acute presentations required |

|Grade 3 remedy |

|Basic knowledge of the remedy and clinical use required |

| | | |

|Grade 1 |Grade 2 |Grade 3 |

| |Camphora officinarum | |

| |Cantharis | |

| | |Capsicum |

| | |Carbo animalis |

|Carbo vegetabilis | | |

|Carcinosin | | |

| |Caulophyllum thalictroides | |

|Causticum | | |

|Chamomilla | | |

| |Chelidonium majus | |

| |China officinalis | |

| | |Cicuta virosa |

| |Cimicifuga racemosa | |

| | |Cina |

| | |Clematis erecta |

| |Cocculus indicus | |

| | |Coccus cacti |

| |Coffea cruda | |

| | |Colchicum autumnale |

| |Colocynthis | |

| |Complex remedies - common | |

| |Conium maculatum | |

| | |Crataegus |

| | |Crotalus horridus |

| |Cuprum metallicum | |

| | |Cyclamen europaeum |

| | |Dioscorea villosa |

| |Drosera rotundifolia | |

| | |Echinacea |

| | |Elaps corallinus |

| | |Eupatorium perfoliatum |

| |Euphrasia officinalis | |

| | |Ferrum metallicum |

| |Ferrum phosphoricum | |

| | |Fluoricum acidum |

| | |Folliculinum |

|Gelsemium sempervirens | | |

|Graphites | | |

| | |Hamamelis virginica |

|Knowledge of Materia Medica required at the level of MFHom (Pharm) |

|Grade 1 remedy |

|Comprehensive knowledge of all remedy characteristics required |

|Grade 2 remedy |

|Knowledge of the key materia medica and common acute presentations required |

|Grade 3 remedy |

|Basic knowledge of the remedy and clinical use required |

| |

|Grade 1 |Grade 2 |Grade 3 |

|Hepar sulphuris calcareum | | |

| |Herbals – various common | |

| | |Hydrastis canadensis |

| |Hyoscyamus niger | |

| |Hypericum perforatum | |

|Ignatia amara | | |

| | |Iodium |

| |Ipecacuanha | |

| |Isopathic remedies | |

| | |Jaborandi |

| | |Kali arsenicosum |

| |Kali bichromicum | |

| |Kali carbonicum | |

| | |Kali muriaticum |

| |Kali phosphoricum | |

| |Kali sulphuricum | |

| | |Kalmia latifolia |

| | |Kreosotum |

| | |Lac caninum |

| | |Lac defloratum |

| |Lachesis | |

| |Ledum palustre | |

| | |Lilium tigrinum |

| | |Lobelia inflata |

|Lycopodium clavatum | | |

| |Magnesia carbonica | |

| | |Magnesia muricata |

| | |Magnesia phosphorica |

|Medorrhinum | | |

| | |Mercurius corrosivus |

|Mercurius solubilis | | |

| | |Mezereum |

| | |Naja tripudia |

| | |Natrum arsenicatum |

| | |Natrum carbonicum |

|Natrum muriaticum | | |

| | |Natrum phosphoricum |

| | |Natrum sulphuricum |

| |Nitricum acidum | |

|Knowledge of Materia Medica required at the level of MFHom (Pharm) |

|Grade 1 remedy |

|Comprehensive knowledge of all remedy characteristics required |

|Grade 2 remedy |

|Knowledge of the key materia medica and common acute presentations required |

|Grade 3 remedy |

|Basic knowledge of the remedy and clinical use required |

| |

|Grade 1 |Grade 2 |Grade 3 |

|Nux vomica | | |

| |Passiflora incarnata | |

| | |Petroleum |

| | |Phosphoricum acidum |

|Phosphorus | | |

| |Phytolacca decandra | |

| |Platinum metallicum | |

| |Plumbum metallicum | |

| | |Podophyllum peltatum |

|Psorinum | | |

|Pulsatilla nigricans | | |

| | |Pyrogenium |

| | |Ranunculus bulbosus |

|Rhus toxicodendron | | |

| |Ruta graveolens | |

| | |Sabadilla |

| | |Sabal serrulata |

| | |Sabina |

| | |Sanguinaria canadensis |

|Sepia | | |

|Silicea | | |

| |Sol | |

| |Spigelia anthelmia | |

| |Spongia tosta | |

| | |Stannum metallicum |

|Staphisagria | | |

| |Stramonium | |

|Sulphur | | |

| |Symphytum officinale | |

| |Syphilinum | |

| | |Tabacum |

| | |Tarentula hispanica |

|Thuja occidentalis | | |

|Tuberculinum | | |

| |Urtica urens | |

| | |Valeriana |

| | |Veratrum album |

| | |Viburnum opulus |

| |Zincum metallicum | |

C. Sample format for case histories to be submitted for the MFHom (Pharm)

These examples are included as a guide, and are not prescriptive. The format may be adapted to reflect your own style of case taking, provided that all the relevant elements of the case history exemplified here are clearly represented. The presentation should use some form of grading to identify those symptoms or other features likely to be of most value for case analysis.

Example One

Mr. D S

Age on presentation: 48

Married

Occupation: University lecturer – anthropologist

Presenting Problem: Insomnia. Anxiety. Chest pain.

HISTORY OF PRESENT COMPLAINT

Fairly well until January ’86, when he began to fell tense and anxious about his ability to work properly. This is related to his lecture schedule and he is feeling increasingly pressurised and worried about being able to continue giving good lectures.

Now he is experiencing a loss of confidence in himself and frequently has panic reactions before starting to lecture. So far he has managed to give all his lectures, but is getting behind in other areas of his work.

He doesn’t feel “on top” of the job and is worried about losing it, unless his mental state improves. He has difficulty getting to sleep and is waking early (around 5am- 6am) in a tense state. He feels constantly tired. His eyes are tired and he “withdraws” from life at times. He has experienced twinges of pain in his (L) chest over the past three years. (ECG normal).

PAST HISTORY

Three episodes of severe depression:

i) at 19 yrs

ii) at 23 yrs (had ECT treatment)

iii) at 25 yrs (ECT)

Pain in (L) chest for past three years - NAD physically.

Family History

Maternal grandfather died form cancer of the bowel, aged 75. Long-lived family. No TB, diabetes or heart disease.

Social History

Married with three children (boys) aged 18, 15, 12 - all exceptionally intelligent and all with psychological problems. He tends to lock himself away in his study and let his wife deal with the children. He is, and has been, a fairly heavy drinker for many years. Was a heavy smoker until he stopped twenty years ago. Has spent a large part of his life travelling around the world in the course of his studies.

HOMEOPATHIC HISTORY

Appearance: Small stature - 5’6’’.Brown hair, blue eyes. Skin tans easily. Wiry build - Wt 10 stone. Dress - casual, untidy.

Manner: Very talkative with a very intense manner. Very engrossed in his own problems and admits that he is the centre of his world (arrogant). Worried frown on face. Wears glasses.

General Symptoms:

Effect of heat: Likes heat but uncomfortable in extremes of heat.

Likes warm dry weather.

Effect of cold: Tends to feel miserable in the cold. Is basically a chilly person.

Weather: Likes wind and finds a warm wind invigorating.

Sweat: Moderate sweat in axillae. Slight sweat - palms.

Sea air: No marked effect.

Time aggravation: Worse in afternoon (12 noon - 3pm). Feels better in evening - “wakes up late at night”.

Appetite: Decreases when anxious c/o bloating after eating, worse as the day goes on.

Aversions: Coffee.

Desires: Sweet +++; Salt ++; Seafood, Curries +; Eggs, Alcohol. Coleslaw makes him feel nauseated.

Is thirsty for warm drinks - mostly tea.

Sleep Difficulty getting to sleep - lies on back and eventually turns on to right side. Wakening 5–6am, unrefreshed.

Particular Symptoms:

Head: Tension, frontal and occipital, eased with pressure and rubbing. Also tension in neck.

Respiratory: Dull aching pain in (L) chest with burning pain in (L) axilla. These pains are spasmodic and periodic and only occur when he is feeling very anxious.

Abdomen: Bloating, flatulence - doesn’t like a tight belt.

Bowels: Occasional diarrhoea before an important lecture.

Mentals: Worries in anticipation, can actually start to shake when lecturing. Worries a lot about himself and how he will cope. (Doesn’t worry much about his family).

Irritable at present, especially on waking. Peevish and quick to anger.

Isn’t very sociable, prefers to be on his own, as long as someone else is in the house. Doesn’t like to be fussed over, but would like some attention if sick.

At present is becoming confused with everyday things. Occasionally uses the wrong words when speaking and writing. Very untidy.

Fears Alone, Dark, People/Crowds, Heights, Failure

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS

Anxiety State

RUBRICS (KENT)

Fear of being alone (p.43)

Fear of people (p.46)

Forsakes his own children (p.49)

Irritability on waking (p.60)

Memory, weakness of, for proper names (p.65)

Stomach - desires sweets (p.486)

Stomach - distention after eating (p.487)

Stomach - aversion coffee

Anticipation - complaints from (p.4)

REMEDY

Lycopodium 1M/3 (3 doses of Lycopodium 1M at 12 hourly intervals).

REASONS FOR CHOICE OF REMEDY

This patient’s main problem was anticipatory worry. He became very anxious before a lecture but usually managed to perform well. He was obsessed with his own problems, tended not to be sociable but didn’t like to be completely alone, especially if ill. He was also developing memory dysfunction mainly regarding names. These mental symptoms point to Lycopodium.

He craves sweets and likes warm drinks and suffers from flatulence. He dislikes coffee. These generals also support Lycopodium.

The one adverse feature is the time aggravation, which was 12 noon-3pm and not 4pm-8pm as expected.

MANAGEMENT

1st Consultation: 7th May 1986

Examination, ECG and blood test were carried out (7.5.86) to exclude any cardiac cause for his recurring chest pain. The laboratory investigations had been carried out by the GP prior to the first consultation with me. I talked to him about some of the effects stress and tension can have on the body.

He was given Lycopodium and told to return in one month’s time. I didn’t feel a placebo was necessary at the first visit as he is a highly intelligent man, who practices meditation when well and was anxious to get to grips with the examination and lecture programme.

2nd Consultation: 6th June 1986

Is feeling better in himself and is sleeping better. No longer requires sleeping tablets. Still not remembering names and still mentally tired. He is finding it difficult to maintain a sustained effort. He starts off many things and doesn’t finish them. Feels worse in the morning and picks up well by evening.

No further treatment given.

3rd Consultation: End June 1986

Improvement has levelled off. Still tired. Repeat Lycopodium 1M/3.

4th Consultation: End July 1986

Feeling very good. Energy normal. Sleeping well. Memory improved. Much more positive about his ability to cope. This is also helped by the fact that the university lecture term has come to an end and the added pressure from marking examination papers has passed.

No further treatment was necessary.

APPRAISAL

Lycopodium seemed to fit this patient “constitutionally” and he certainly responded well to it. However, he was also helped by the ending of the university term, which reduced his stress levels significantly.

It remains to be seen if he will require further homeopathic treatment in the future.

Example Two

Mr. H A

The case is presented in the patient’s own words. Where there is the notation “…” this represents a gap in the patient’s spontaneous narrative where he stops speaking and I ask a question. It is my normal practice to record the patient’s story in their own words, but not to record the questions that I ask.

He is a 55 year old man with huge ears which are a dark red colour.

First Consultation – 16th June 1993

I have had discharging ears for 20 years…the discharge is dark yellow and the smell is horrible – it stinks of rotten eggs…I get a lot of thick wax, and when it is removed, my ear bleeds…each time I get another infection my ear gets hot and red and swells…the first time I ever got this my right ear swelled up like a big, hot, red steak. I felt hot and dizzy and really ill. I had a headache and my muscles were aching…the first attack was on the right and was the worst, but each time my ear still swells and gets hot and red. I get attacks in either one ear or the other…I get an attack about every three months…my left ear has been blocked for 3 weeks.

…I am retired from work because I had a right retinal thrombosis 18 months ago. So now I am partially sighted and have some double vision, so I cannot drive…I had the measles when I was very young and after that my left eye turned inwards. I had an operation to correct the squint when I was 14, but the sight in that eye has been poor since I was young…I had a bad attack of cystitis 16 years ago…the burning pain was terrible – I just had to keep walking about. I was passing urine every seven minutes and it was agony. My bladder was in spasm all the time and the only thing that helped was a warm bath. I was passing blood and clots and it was agony. I was ill for four weeks.

…In December 1984 I had a heart attack…(Observation: deep sighing, and looks sad)…I had a long, miserable marriage…for 27 years and three months I kept all my anger inside – I just swallowed it and never said a word. At the end of my marriage I felt so happy, I was whistling. That was in September, and that December I had a heart attack…I got married again, have two adopted sons and one step-daughter. I have a son who is a drug addict.

…When I was 18 I got so angry that I broke the arm of one of my friends and beat up another two friends and I didn’t remember anything about it. Someone told me about it afterwards. I promised myself that I would never allow myself to get angry like that ever again.

…I am on Istin for high blood pressure. I used to smoke 60 cigarettes a day.

…My father, mother and aunt all died of cancer

…I am warm most of the time. When I am ill I feel better with someone in the house…I don’t say anything when I am feeling bad…I love sweets and salt, and fat and spicy pickles and aubergines…I hate lentils.

Clinical diagnosis

Chronic Otitis Externa

Case analysis

RUBRIC

Mind; ANGER, ailments, suppressed, from: aur., cham., ign., sep., Staph. (p2 Kent Repertory)

REMEDY CHOSEN

Staphisagria LM1, one pill to be sucked daily.

REASON FOR CHOICE OF REMEDY

The essence of this case is ailments from suppressed anger – this is the “heart” of the remedy Staphisagria.

REASONS FOR CHOICE OF POTENCY AND FREQUENCY AND FORM OF DOSE

He is partially sighted so I decided that it would be easier for him and aid compliance if I used a daily pill as a dose. I instructed him to tap the bottle onto the palm of his hand, take one pill and put it in his mouth and suck it first thing each morning and then wait a few moments before having breakfast. His hearing is steadily decreasing and the giving of instructions required me to raise my voice, so I wished to keep the instructions for taking the doses simple and straightforward.

He has end organ damage: eyes, ears and heart so I chose a relatively low potency as a daily dose to promote gradual tissue repair. Also when he gets an illness he tends to get a severe and partly destructive illness, so in this case I wished to avoid a possible severe aggravation from a high potency so chose LM1 daily.

RELATED REMEDIES WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED AT A LATER DATE IN HIS MANAGEMENT

There is a case for Carcinosin:

1. strong family history of cancer

2. desire for travel

3. past history of severe measles with eye damage

4. his pattern of food desires

MANAGEMENT

Dispensed a bottle of Staphisagria LM1 pills with instructions. Review appointment arranged for six weeks time.

Second Consultation – 2nd August 1993

…my ears are better. There is only a little discharge about once a week, the rest of the time my ears are dry. My ears are a better colour, more pink and less red and they don’t feel hot. I feel a lot more comfortable…I am not pushing my ear forward to hear, so I must be hearing better. I am talking quieter and don’t have to raise my voice to hear myself.

…I feel content. I don’t get annoyed so much. I am more relaxed.

…My energy is still down a bit – I can only dig about two square metres of garden then I am tired out. But I can walk for 20 minutes now.

…I have slept through the night occasionally without waking up to pass urine at 5am.

…I got angry with my daughter and spoke up for myself. I told her that what she said made me angry, and I stomped downstairs and slammed the door. I didn’t just swallow it. I have been a bit more assertive at home.

APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT

He is responding well to the remedy. There is no need to change remedy, potency or frequency of dose. To continue on one pill daily of Staphisagria LM1 – another bottle of pills dispensed, and review appointment arranged for two months.

Third Consultation – 11th October 1993

…I went to Greece on holiday. It was too hot for me. My legs swelled up like water balloons. A doctor gave me an injection and I passed a huge amount of urine and felt better…my ears are dry and the smell has gone. The swelling is a lot less. There is no pain, not even discomfort. One night my right ear bled a 5cm bloodstain onto my pillow, and a few days later the left ear did the same.

…I got angry with my daughter because I thought she had broken my typewriter…I shouted and swore and stamped downstairs. I told her that if it was broken, she would have to pay to repair it. I can get angry and it is OK. My family are happier because now they know what I am feeling – because I am able to tell them what I am feeling. I am not afraid to get angry anymore. I am not afraid to speak my mind. I don’t walk away. I don’t swallow it. I can talk about my feelings and then leave it at that.

APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT

He continues to improve. Advised to continue with Staphisagria LM1 one pill daily till bottle finished. Dispensed an Staphisagria LM2 pills to keep. Advised to start LM2 pills if required for ears or if he feels he is relapsing into suppressing his anger, and instructed to suck one pill daily till he is sure he is better and then stop, and to repeat this process when required.

APPRAISAL

A clear essence prescription of Staphisagria which illustrates the gentle but deep action of the LM1 potency.

It is interesting and perhaps fortunate that such a gentle and sustained response resulted from taking one tablet dry daily for a few months. This represents a much larger dose than recommended by Hahnemann. Also there was no slight alteration of potency by daily succussion of a liquid LM potency. Perhaps this action of a dry pill daily of LM1 is equivalent to the effect of a 6c-12c pill daily.

The method of taking the dose shows that in this patient his touching the remedy seems to have made no difference to the effectiveness of the remedy.

This case also illustrates that it is not always necessary to treat patients with high or medium potencies and that low potencies can have a gentle sustained therapeutic effect in patients with illnesses which have caused structuralchanges in tissues.

PROGNOSIS

Good.

D. Teaching schedule

The times specified below represent the suggested minimum for completing the various requirements of this course.

❖ Face to face teaching including workshops: 60 hours

❖ Preparation time for classes: 25 hours

❖ Additional Self-study including workbooks: 35 hours

❖ Preparation of case studies: 20 hours

❖ Practical experience: 10 hours

One day spent observing a homeopathic physician on the Faculty’s specialist register in a hospital, clinic or private practice setting for at least three cases.

E. Recommended texts

These will be determined in part by the chosen modules of study but a full range of classical and modern homeopathic works of reference, theory and practice is recommended appropriate to the candidate’s needs.

SECTION 4

~ Profiles of the Homeopathic Pharmacist ~

General professional attributes

❖ Understanding of reflective practice and its benefits for patient care and lifelong learning. Reflective practice becomes an integral part of the practitioner’s clinical care.

❖ Improved clinical and communication skills

❖ A clearer perception of the patient as a whole, and as an individual

❖ A greater understanding of the needs of each individual patient

❖ A well developed understanding of the importance of the therapeutic encounter itself

❖ Increased quality of patient care and vocational satisfaction

❖ Appreciation of the multidisciplinary approach to health care delivery

General summary of educational goals

❖ Awareness of the scope and value of homeopathy for their patients or the community in which they work, how to gain access to services which provide it, and how to understand and integrate its contribution to patient care

❖ Broad understanding of the dynamics of illness, and a wider perspective of the nature and evolution of chronic disease in both its biographical and pathological aspects

❖ Improved case taking; more active and attentive listening to the details of the patient history, and more careful study of the ‘march of events’ in the development of the disease

❖ Greater awareness of the capacity for self-regulation and self-healing, and the possibility of stimulating these processes

❖ Awareness of the scientific implications of homeopathy, its evidence base, and the arguments that surround it

❖ An enhanced therapeutic repertoire

General profile

A homeopathic pharmacist will be a pharmacist qualified to practice additionally trained in homeopathic medicine and qualified to integrate the practice of homeopathy into patient care, within the context of pharmacy practice. The extent of the homeopathic component of practice will depend on the level of training in homeopathic pharmacy to which s/he has progressed.

S/he will bring to the consultation all the ethical and professional values, competence and responsibility that are expected of a pharmacist; forming an all round assessment of the patient’s needs, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals whose care the patient is already receiving or may need.

Above all, s/he will be an exponent of reflective practice, constantly and critically reviewing clinical experience, and gaining new knowledge, skill and understanding in the process, particularly in the field of the therapeutic relationship.

LFHom (Pharm)

General homeopathic knowledge and skills

❖ what homoeopathy is; its basic principles and key concepts

❖ salient features of its history and contemporary development

❖ what it can achieve and what its limitations are

❖ how it integrates with contemporary health care

❖ how to interpret reports and instructions and how to act supportively during care from a homeopathic specialist

❖ how to use homeopathy in a specified number of targeted acute situations integrated with normal professional practice in day-to-day patient care

❖ the basic principles of homeopathic pharmacy and dispensing

❖ the interpretation of homeopathic prescriptions

❖ counselling points for the dispensing of homeopathic prescriptions

❖ the scientific implications of the subject and the key features of the evidence base

❖ the importance of clinical governance as it applies in homeopathy

The LFHom (Pharm) profile

Pharmacists qualified LFHom(Pharm) will have learned to look at patients from a homeopathic point of view, to ‘think homeopathically’; that is, to be aware of and understand the perspective of the patient’s symptomatology and of the evolution of the illness which homeopathy requires, and to consider how a homeopathic approach could benefit a patient’s care. Pharmacists at LFHom level are strongly encouraged to restrict their prescribing to those remedies taught in the PHCE and those from the GSL to augment existing professional skills when appropriate.

From the PHCE, the student will not be equipped to practise beyond the range of applications defined in the course and will not be expected to know how to analyse and treat more chronic or complex cases.

Pharmacists who have completed basic training may be working in a pharmaceutical or community setting, and will apply their knowledge and skill in a way that is appropriate to that setting. The use of homeopathy will be complementary or supplementary to their existing practice. At all times they will be expected to possess the competencies appropriate to pharmacy practice and any other specialist training they have received.

This status must be maintained by fulfilling the published requirements for continuing professional development published by the Faculty and the RPS.

Limits of competence

Passing the PHCE and qualification as LFHom(Pharm) marks a basic level of competence.

The acute clinical applications are defined within the curriculum. They augment the pharmacist’s existing professional skills as appropriate, but are not necessarily a qualification to practise as a homeopath. Pharmacists qualified to this level are not expected to be able to deal with referrals from other colleagues or know how to analyse and treat more chronic or complex cases. At all times they are expected to practise within the scope and the limits of responsibility of their existing professional practice.

DFHom (Pharm)

General knowledge and skills

❖ Enhanced skills in pharmacist-patient relationships and communication

❖ A proactive approach to homeopathic prescribing in the pharmacy

❖ A disciplined and informed approach to inter-professional care

❖ Further awareness of when and how to seek specialist assistance

❖ Understanding of the principles of research methodology and experience of auditing the use of homeopathy in clinical practice

❖ The ability to ensure the availability of high quality homeopathic remedies and accurate dispensing

❖ Understanding of Clinical Governance as it applies to homeopathy, including a commitment to life-long learning and clinical audit; the duty to report concerns about the professional performance of colleagues and critical and untoward incidents; awareness of patient complaint procedures

❖ A greater understanding of the OTC environment and the influences on patient choice

General homeopathic knowledge and skills

❖ Comprehensive knowledge of the history, principles and concepts of homeopathic medicine; the ability to communicate these to others

❖ Highly skilled in homeopathic case taking and analysis

❖ Comprehensive knowledge of the materia medica and comparative materia medica of a specified list of major homeopathic medicines

❖ Knowledge of the key features of a specified list of minor homeopathic medicines

❖ The ability to identify the indicated medicines reliably and to differentiate between them

❖ Thorough understanding of homeopathic therapeutic method

❖ The ability to apply their knowledge of homeopathy appropriately to all health needs, including chronic and complex disease

❖ Understanding and discrimination of the role of homeopathy in integrated patient care

❖ The ability to communicate to non-homeopathic colleagues the role of homeopathy in patient care, particularly in the shared care of individual patients

❖ Thorough understanding of the principles and methods of homeopathic pharmacy

❖ Awareness of the scientific issues, research activities and evidence relating to homeopathy; the ability to communicate these

❖ An awareness and understanding of the work of non-SRHP homeopathic practitioners

Knowledge and skills specific to homeopathic pharmacy

❖ A working knowledge of the German and British Pharmacopoeias

❖ An appreciation of the variation between various National Pharmacopoeias and international variations in nomenclature

❖ The European Directive and abbreviated licensing procedures

❖ The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency licensing and inspection procedures

❖ Full understanding of issues of pharmaceutical importance:

❖ Quality assurance and quality control in homeopathic production

❖ Theory and practice of preparation: sources, extraction, dilution, trituration, succussion.

❖ The different methods of potentisation: Theories and procedures of Hahnemannian centesimal and decimal, LM and Korsakovian scales.

❖ All dosage forms including those used overseas

❖ Isopathic preparation of allergodes, sarcodes, nosodes and tautopathic remedies.

❖ Stability: Appropriate storage conditions. Stability considerations. Preservation and destruction of potency. Knowledge of the importance of using certain types of containers

Profile

Pharmacists who have completed DFHom (Pharm) training may be working in a pharmaceutical, NHS or community setting, and will apply their knowledge and skill in a way that is appropriate to that setting. Their usual pharmacy practice may continue to be their core clinical activity complemented by the use of homeopathy. They will be able to manage homeopathically more complex clinical problems for patients and may receive referrals from colleagues. Alternatively, part of their working time may be dedicated to the use of homeopathy as the main therapeutic method. This may be within their existing practice as a generalist or specialist, as a clinical assistant in a consultant service or in private practice, or a combination of these activities. Prescribing of homeopathy may be expanded to include those single and complex remedies from the P category taught at DFHom (Pharm) level.

At all times they will be expected to possess the competencies appropriate to pharmacy practice and any other specialist training they have received.

They will be alert to the potential for the indirect risk of the inappropriate use of homeopathy when other interventions are indicated.

They will be expected to maintain effective communication with other health care professionals involved in the care of the patient, and to make appropriate referrals to others when they recognise needs in the patient that they are unable to meet. Even if designated as qualified to write NHS prescriptions, it is not within the usual remit of the DFHom (Pharm) pharmacist to write NHS prescriptions for homeopathy, either as a supplementary or independent prescriber.

MFHom (Pharm)

General knowledge and skills

❖ Generalist and specialist expertise equipping them to practice in their chosen clinical setting within the pharmacy profession, and comparable in scope and depth to other disciplines qualified to MFHom level.

❖ Commitment to continuing professional development

❖ Commitment to audit, and a willingness to participate in clinical research

❖ Commitment to promote Clinical Governance, including initiating and developing clinical audit and encouraging reflective practice

❖ The ability to represent the role and potential value of homeopathy in patient care with authority, to other healthcare professionals and managers (eg. NHS Trusts)

❖ The ability to offer expert guidance to other healthcare practitioners in their study and practice of homeopathy

Homeopathic knowledge and skills

❖ A clear understanding of the possibilities of homeopathic treatment, and its limitations for individual patients

❖ A deep understanding of the nuances of the patient’s constitution and symptomatology from the homeopathic perspective

❖ A broad knowledge of a comprehensive range of homeopathic medicines, essential characteristics, preparation, relationships, comparisons and quality issues

❖ A full grasp of the subtleties of homeopathic case taking and analysis and case management

❖ A thorough knowledge of homeopathic treatment methods and how to develop treatment strategies for patients with different needs as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

❖ A full understanding of the working practices of the other healthcare professions and how homeopathy is utilised in their practice

❖ The ability to prescribe homeopathy on NHS prescriptions as a supplementary or independent prescriber

❖ The ability to interact with non-SRHP homeopathic practitioners where appropriate

❖ The ability to employ their skills and experience in identifying homeopathic medicines and treatment strategies in more complex clinical cases, within professional bounds of competence

❖ The ability to develop the homeopathic treatment to its fullest potential in the individual patient

❖ An understanding of the implications of homeopathic medicine for medical science, clinical practice, integrated health care and service delivery

❖ The ability to supervise other healthcare professionals in their study and practice of homeopathy

Profile

Pharmacists who have completed The MFHom (Pharm) may be working in a pharmaceutical, NHS or community setting and will apply their knowledge and skill in a way that is appropriate to that setting. Their conventional pharmacy practice may continue to be their core clinical activity combined with the part time practice of specialist homeopathy. They will have the expertise to receive referrals from colleagues in more complex cases and develop the provision of homeopathic services in their region. They will be expected to supervise colleagues in training, and to undergo training themselves for this purpose. They will be able to prescribe homeopathy on NHS prescriptions as a supplementary or independent prescriber on completion of the relevant course.

[pic]

Faculty of Homeopathy

CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London, N1 6AH

Tel: 01582 408679 or 020 3640 5903



................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download