Evolving an integrated curriculum in post-graduate homoeopathic education: Advanced teachings in fundamentals of homoeopathy

Abstract

Homoeopathic practice is a challenge as it demands the integration of Homoeopathic Philosophy with clinical medicine, Repertory and Homoeopathic Materia Medica. The compartmentalised division of the Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery syllabus into 12 distinct subjects strikes at the heart of integration. The introduction of the subject of Advanced Teachings in Fundamentals of Homoeopathy at the PG level in MD Part 1 attempts to address this lacuna and aims to foster the development of various competencies necessary for effective practice. However, we need a method by which we can deliver integration in the classroom. Dr. M. L. Dhawale’s seminal papers on homoeopathic education which were conceived, applied and refined through application at the then Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College (1968–70) and Father Muller’s Homoeopathic Medical College (1985–86) form the backdrop of this paper. The method essentially brings homoeopathic practice into the classroom so that learning becomes experiential. This paper attempts to describe the method of conceptualising and planning an integrated curriculum in the classroom, thereby addressing the gap between theory and practice in the training to evolve competent homoeopathic physicians. A further paper will describe the method of implementation and the results of putting integration in practice.