Homoeopath Career Description
Homoeopathy is a legally recognised profession and an important part of the health services provided in South Africa.
It is a system of medicine using minute quantities of plant, mineral and other therapeutic substances prepared according to a specific method, to gently stimulate patients back to health.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Homoeopaths diagnose and treat a wide variety of illnesses. They are trained to view patients holistically and to apply treatment according to the individual needs, peculiarities, reactions and modalities of patients. Homoeopaths take detailed case histories of their patients and do a physical examination. They then make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate homoeopathic medicines. Homoeopathy is based on the principle of "let likes be treated by likes", where the medicine used is chosen because of the effects large quantities of it will have on a healthy person, similar to the symptoms of the disease which it is desired to cure. The closer the correlation between the symptoms of the patient and the effects of the medicine, the more rapid, effective and permanent the cure will be.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Homoeopaths should be versatile, able to work independently and have a well-developed
sense of responsibility, since the work involves human health and lives. They should also be physically fit and emotionally well-balanced, since the physical and emotional demands of homoeopathic practice are considerable. Sympathy and compassion are to be combined with clarity of mind and scientific objectivity, to produce competent, approachable and caring practitioners, whose primary concern is the welfare and well-being of their patients.
Where can I work?
Qualified homoeopaths can start their own practices or form part of health service teams. They can also go into an academic direction and lecture or work as clinicians in the Department of Homoeopathy.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Qualified homoeopaths can go into private practice, either on their own or in partnership with other homoeopaths, or with allied health professionals, such as chiropractors, physiotherapists and orthodox medical practitioners.
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