Knowledge, attitude, practice, and beliefs about drug proving in students of Homoeopathy

Abstract

Background and Aim: Students in homoeopathic colleges are often encouraged to participate in drug proving programs. There is no valid and reliable instrument for identifying their concerns. Therefore, an instrument has been designed and tested to identify knowledge, attitude, practice, and beliefs (KAPB) of homoeopathic students. This can be used for motivating students to participate in drug proving programs. Design and Methods: First, the questionnaire items were identified by a telephonic interview with investigators of drug proving program. The questionnaire was pilot tested on interns of a homoeopathic college to identify its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and face and construct validity. A survey using this instrument followed by training of homoeopathic medical students was conducted, and the change in KAPB was also assessed. Results: A questionnaire of 28 questions testing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices was developed with Cronbach’s α =0.71 for the entire scale. Students were of the opinion that with participation in proving studies, homoeopathic Materia Medica will develop, which will be their contribution to Homoeopathy. Students will be personally benefitted by having an experiential knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge of philosophy. Although the majority is aware that proving does not cause long-term damage to health, nor does it cause irreversible pathological change, a major concern is the development of severe or unmanageable symptoms. Students can be motivated to participate in proving programs by re-enforcing that it will be a unique experience, assuring them about that no acute unmanageable symptoms are likely to develop.