Clinical Rotation in Homeopathic Medicine
NUHS offers a specialty rotation in homeopathy during its naturopathic medicine (ND) clinical internship experience. ND interns can apply for the rotation, which entails one day per week of their clinic shift seeing patients under the supervision of a seasoned expert in homeopathic medicine.
Intern Lakisha Brandon explores remedies
with Dr. Francine Burke
In homeopathic medicine, a patient receives minute doses of a
substance that in massive amounts would produce symptoms similar to
the patient's disease. It works by stimulating a natural healing
response in the body.
"Homeopathy is a logical choice for our first specialty rotation,
as there is a strong student interest in the topic. Also,
homeopathic medicine is an area where expertise is built on
mentored practice," says Dr. Fraser Smith, assistant dean of
naturopathic medicine at NUHS.
Currently, three interns spend one day each week with Francine Burke, DC, DNBHE. Dr. Burke is a chiropractic physician who graduated from National in 1987. In addition to her diplomate in homeopathic medicine, she is certified by the National Board of Homeopathic Examiners, and is the past president of the Illinois Homeopathic Medicine Association.
"I work with each student individually in whichever area they need to develop most: whether it's taking a homeopathic medical history, remedy selection or follow-up evaluation," says Dr. Burke. " It is very exciting for students to see first hand in a clinical setting, how well homeopathic medicine works - especially for patients who may not have seen results with other treatment modalities."
For all ND students, the current NUHS curriculum in homeopathy includes four intensive courses. The specialty rotation builds on the knowledge previously learned in the classroom. Lakisha Brandon, an intern currently in the homeopathic rotation, says: "The rotation has allowed me to understand the important role homeopathy can play in unveiling the underlying mental and emotional aspect of disease. Homeopathy takes these factors into account, in addition to physical symptoms, in a patient's medical history and in remedy selection."
