a query for the group

[The Cole Clan]

Hi, there
This is Meg Cole, and I'm not a regular poster on this list, as I am still a
student, and feel that I'm not qualified to jump into the posts. I have
received much by way of insight from participating in this group, and hope
that some of you that are currently practising might have some thoughts for
me as I move further into my studies....

I have been studying homeopathy with Dr. Shahrdar for a few years, now, and
am at the halfway point in my studies with the School of Homeopathy, Devon
(Misha Norland's school) via their distance learning course with seminars,
clinicals, etc. I have been offered an opportunity to join the school's New
York live classes this fall, which will involve attendance at the school
once a month, along with experiential opportunities in their clinic there.

I have been asking for input from friends and others about their thoughts
for me on taking this next step, and most have been quite positive, apart
from a very disturbing contact with my own doctor/homeopath, yesterday. He
has been quite supportive all along of my studies, offering to help me with
cases if I need once I'm actually in practise, troubleshooting the remedy
selection process with me concerning my own family, loaning me books, etc.
Yesterday, he slammed me with the "only MD's, DO's, and PA's ought to be
doing this work" lecture, saying that lay people have no business treating
people in illness. The reasoning was that without a license or malpractise
insurance we take no responsibility for what happens to patients, which he
thinks is irresponsible. I do not know the real reason behind his comments,
other than I have some sense that he may see me as a threat to his own
practise, which is 90% homeopathy at this juncture-----perhaps he doesn't
want me 'in the game', as it were? After a long standing relationship with
this doc and the previous support, that would be a hard pill to swallow, but
it may be the reality that I must face.

Does anyone have any thoughts for me on some of these legal issues?
Malpractise insurance, covering ourselves legally, etc. I know that this is
a loaded question, and I have no expectations of complete answers, nor do I
intend to hold anyone here responsible for info given------I am just feeling
a little defeated, now that I'm so far into my courses------and any info
that I receive to help me get a grip on the reality of this situation would
be most appreciated. I know that the school will provide guidance here,
too, but I am needing to make a decision on my attendance at the NY school
by Monday, for me to be able to enter the class on Sept. 17th....

In hopes that I'll be able to find the courage to continue on with this
important work...

Meg

P.S. I live in Maine, in case that might be a factor when advising me.

[Maria Bohle]

On 28 Aug 2004 12:45:47 -0000 minutus@yahoogroups.com writes:

Hi Meg,

I am involved with the British Institute of Homeopathy here in
the USA.
We have students in every state, including Maine.

The governing of homeopathic medicine and it's practice is mostly
dependant on the state in which you live.
So you must check the laws in Maine.

However we have 'homeopathic consultants' in every state of the
USA, that are not medical doctors. As homeopaths we do not diagnose (and
this is important). I have been in practice for almost 10 years as a
consultant and have never had a problem. We do not take people off their
Rx meds, we do not bill ourselves as doctors, and we do not draw blood,
etc. We suggest remedies based on the signs and symptoms of their
disorder as they have related it to us. (notice I said suggest) I tell
people their medical doctor is responsible for their health, I am only a
consultant, and their seeing me is for 'informational purposes' only.
If they are ill, they are to see their doctor.

If only medical doctors in the USA practiced homeopathy we would
be in big trouble. MD's are held to a different standard of practice.
Their protocalls do not always allow the use of homeopathic medicines and
they must pay medical insurance based on their training, which
homeopathic practice doesn't actually pay enough to maintain their
liability insurance.

The issue of insurance for homeopaths is a tough one in these
times. However, my intake forms suggest that my 'clients' see their
medical doctors, when in doubt I send them right back to their MD's for
diagnosis, I often ask for copies of their blood tests, etc, and I have
an excellent working relationship with many MDs in my area. Actually we
have been known to refer patients back and forth.

Please do not abandon your homeopathic studies due to a MD trying
to discourage you. We are so greatly in need of good homeopaths in the
USA, that your help is needed. I know it is a sad situation when someone
you felt was supporting you is now trying to discourage you. We have all
encountered things like that, and it is one of the obstacles to becoming
a homeopath that we all must overcome. Actually one of the MD's who was
one of my greatest 'obstacles' and naysayer over the effectiveness of
homeopathy actually buttonholed me the last time I saw him and he was
quizzing me on homeopathic protocall. So even he is coming around.

Misha's school has an excellent reputation and you should do well there.
If that doesn't work out for you, contact us at BIH (we are fully
correspondance) and we would be glad to work with you.
Good luck to you, and keep at it. Homeopathy is well worth pursuing and
I guarantee you will never be sorry you did.

Warm regards,
Maria T. Bohle, RS Hom (NA), CCH, DHM, DCN
Director and Principal
BIH USA LLC
www.BIHUSA.com

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[Tanya Marquette]

i ran into a similar problem years ago when i was studying with a lay
homeopath
practitioner. he was supportive and encouraging up to a point. then it all
changed.
it seemed very clear to me that his egotism and competitiveness took over.
i checked
my reality out with others who had the same feeling about him. in my
situation he
was dissing the use of computor programs but turned around and set himself
up with
one. this was just one way that he worked to hold students back.

as hurtful as it is, it is just best to take a deep breath, find another
homeopath to work
with on your familial problems and continue to study if that is your
inclination.

good luck

tanya

[Dave Hartley]

Hi Meg,

MD's, DO's & PA's are allopathically trained; thus they generally have a
huge liability to overcome in order to be decent homeopaths.

Many allopaths who've posted or whose cases I've heard of seem to have a
tendency to use homeopathy on a shallow basis, and often try to
prescribe homeopathic remedies allopathically, or at best clinically,
and often as is the basis of their training: by ROTE as opposed to by
individuation.

Allopaths who are able to overcome the allopathic mindset have a great
asset in their medical knowledge.. Dr. Will Taylor is from your state of
Maine; he is a truly great homeopath (maybe teaching at the school
you're looking at?)

The U.S., in general, seems to be a terrible place to practice
homeopathy, in part due again, to allopathic training, which arrogates
all treatment of illness unto itself.
The pharmaco-medical-industrial complex has successfully intimidated and
persecuted its competition legally. WORSE, is the marginalization of
"alternative medicine" (which was MEDICINE itself, prior to allopathic
$$ domination of legistlature.)

People in the U.S. are brainwashed / psychologically conditioned from
early ages to accept with very little critical inspection... the input
fed to them by corporate-controlled mass-media and educational
institutions.

The most profitable industry in the U.S. is the pharmaceutical drug
industry.

Historically, and functionally, this industry is a clear enemy of
homeopathy.

We have a mega-billion $$ bully intent on protecting its market share,
using some of the same tactics your MD acquaintance seems to have
learned.

Consider the source..
David Hartley www.holistiq.com
San Francisco EastBay (510)776-5914
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