My book The Homeopathic Conversation has been republished in India and I am most honoured to be invited to give a lecture tour of India in August.

While homeopathy has been vituperatively insulted, attacked and demonised by various groups in the UK (which thankfully do not include this Government, the last one or the head of State) it has always had a prominent and respected place in the medicine of the world’s biggest democracy – India. On doing a little research into Indian homeopathy I was absolutely flabbergasted by the sheer scale of homeopathy in India.

I am most grateful to my colleague, Dr Manish Bhatia for much of the following information about Indian homeopathy:

Number of homeopaths in India:

Official Government figure: 350 000 (sic) homeopaths

Unofficial figure (includes unregistered, registration expired and lay homeopaths)

500 000 (that’s half a million!)

Indian Government attitude to Homeopathy:

• Indian Government ‘VERY supportive’ (Dr Bhatia) to homeopathy.
• Government even runs TV commercials to promote homeopathy!
• There are 1000s of Government homeopathic dispensaries and OPDs (outpatient departments) in India
• There are 176 Homeopathic Colleges in India of which 35 are Government run.
• There is a government ministry (AYUSH) dedicated to alternative medicine (including homeopathy) in India.

Regulation:

Homeopathy is fully regulated in India by the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH)  and Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH).

Conclusions: It seems clear that homeopathy is there to stay in India. So next time you see or read some condescending and patronising rubbish about homeopathy in the media, know that in India, a country with a population of 1.2 billion people (that’s more than 20x the population of the UK) homeopathy is an integral part of the healthcare system and deeply respected by the people of that country.

The word on the street is that India and China will be important parts of the emerging new world order so watch this space for an article on the place of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, a country with a mere 1.3 billion people.

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Passionate Medicine

Passionate Medicine: Making the Transition from Conventional Medicine to Homeopathy

Robin Shohet (Editor)

(Dr. Brian Kaplan, contributor)

Paperback; 192 pages (May 4, 2005)
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 1843102986

___________________________________

This book, published in 2005, tells the story of how and why five doctors and two veterinary surgeons decided to study homeopathic medicine. Dr. Kaplan is one of them.

___________________________________

Download Extract

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Die Kunst der Fallaufnahme - das homöopathische Gespräch

B. Kaplan

Die Kunst der Fallaufnahme – das homöopathische Gespräch

Übersetzt von T. Schreier

2004
216 S., kartoniert

EUR 39,95 | CHF 67,90
ISBN 3830471726

Order

** This is the German language edition of .

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Review in "Physiotherapy"

Review from:
Physiotherapy

Dr Kaplan describes in detail the process of ‘taking the case’, which is central to the ability of accurate homeopathic prescribing. Finding the right remedy depends not only on noting all the symptoms, both physical and mental, but on assessing how these affect the patient’s mental state. It is important to try to gain an understanding of the person and his attitudes, fears, thoughts and reactions, both conscious and unconscious, and how these have changed with the illness. As Dr Kaplan says, a more accurate remedy is prescribed by understanding the patient than by an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Materia Medica. But how can we better understand the patient?

The major part of the book enlarges on how to create the bond of understanding between practitioner and patient, the qualities needed to elicit the information required and how to really listen with genuine empathy and understanding. This way the patient feels free to talk and open up, so the ‘real person’ comes through. The author discusses the unconditional acceptance of the patient. He discusses and shares with readers the insights, skills and techniques which have been invaluable to him in the homeopathic consultation, including an understanding of the value of psychotherapy and counselling. The book is about how to achieve the ultimate state of being the receiver, in this case the homeopath, so that nothing stands between the real person, the patient and his needs, and the ability to receive this information and respond appropriately and rewardingly with the prescription of the correct remedy.

Although this book is really written for homeopaths and homeopathic students who will learn a great deal from reading it, there is much to be learned by physiotherapists too, especially those of us working with complementary therapies. It is about the art of the personal relationship which underlies the science of therapy.

Dr Kaplan trained originally as an allopathic doctor but found himself disillusioned with the training and practice of medicine. The importance of the quality of the interrelationship between homeopath and patient in the homeopathic conversation, and the resulting accurate prescribing gave Dr Kaplan the satisfaction he had been looking for. We are left with the strong impression of an inspiring man who discovered that he was unfulfilled and unable to achieve the reward of truly helping people only as a doctor. The benefits of his subsequent career and methods are now available to us all in this interesting and well-written book.

Susan Hollenbery MCSP RCST

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Review from:
The British Holistic Veterinary Journal

I have always held to the notion that nothing happens by chance. Here am I, at the start of my first ever break from practice, feeling burnt out and utterly exhausted and looking for direction into how I improve myself as a person and as a homeopath and I am sent a book. More specifically I am sent Brian Kaplan’s book “The Homeopathic Conversation”. I am TOTALLY INSPIRED !

Brian writes magnificently about his way of practising classical homeopathy, with personal anecdotes and tips in a manner which is so open and free, yet gets right down to ripping apart, analysing and rebuilding the methodology of remedy finding and prescribing in such a complete way that he will set the standards for students and masters of Homeopathy for years to come. I could not put this book down.

As a Vet who is constantly seeking ways of improving my Holistic skills and integrating them into the Veterinary format, I have long believed that the only true way to practice homeopathy is Classically. To understand how our Human treating colleagues work is so vital to achieving this concept. Yet for Vets it can be a struggle to find a way to bring Hahnemannian concepts into case taking and prescribing. Direct communication with the patient can be difficult, many Pet owners are not particularly observant of their animal companions, and many Homeopathic texts are long, difficult to wade through and hard to utilise in the Veterinary context. Brian’s Book is a must for all students and practitioners of Veterinary homeopathy. His way of viewing patients and taking cases in such a considered and caring manner builds a whole new level of observation and communication skills into one’s work which can only take us Vets towards that higher level we all struggle to achieve.

This is probably the most important and relevant work yet this century.

Mark Elliott BVSc VetMFHom MRCVS MIPsiMed

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The Homeopathic Times

Review from:
The Homeopathic Times (Ireland)

It is not necessarily the homeopath who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the materia medica, an intelligent and flexible approach to case analysis and a comprehensive library who makes the best homeopath, according to Dr. Kaplan. He suggests that most people would rather consult with someone who has empathy and understanding and is a good listener. Thus the case-taking element is the real ‘art’ of homeopathy. It is only when the homeopath can appropriately take in and really understand the case that a good prescription can be made. The homeopathic process begins with the case-taking and it is here that we should be devoting more of our attention. I am becoming increasingly convinced that he is spot on and this comprehensive book not only addresses the importance of the homeopathic conversation but gives good background information on what that entails and how to make it better.

Dr. Brian Kaplan completed his studies in orthodox medicine in South Africa. Dissatisfaction with the long arduous scientific process and the actual practice of allopathic medicine led him to the study of homeopathy in the UK. It was the patient-doctor relationship that was missing in the medical model and studying homeopathy brought him back to this realisation and to his original vocation, long buried, as to why he chose to become a doctor in the first place. He has been practicing as a homeopath for more than 20 years. The first chapters of the book follow his evolution towards becoming a homeopath. Reflecting on one’s evolution has relevance to developing consultation skills. He suggests that we each ‘soul search’ as a first step in ‘knowing ourselves’ as Hahnemann suggests. This is only the beginning of a long exciting progress that should continue throughout our careers. In his studies of homeopathy, he noted that most available literature was focused on three important aspects: Materia Medica, repertories (books and computer programmes) and books on homeopathic theory. While all these are extremely important, they do not cover the all-important first step in helping a patient and entering the process of finding the right remedy. This is done in the case consultation – the most crucial factor in the practice of homeopathy, as Dr. Kaplan believes. The Organon, which is quoted throughout, fully devotes paragraph 83 to 99 to the homeopathic interview and gives valuable advice about the state a homeopath should strive for throughout. So, more attention should be devoted to this aspect.

Dr. Kaplan takes us through his influences and learning through other disciplines – mainly in the fields of psychotherapeutics (i.e. Freud, Jung, Reich, Buber) and counseling. Carl Rogers, who was most influential to him in the counseling area, describes the three vital qualities of the effective counsellor to be: empathic understanding, unconditional positive regard and congruence, which say exactly what Hahnemann means regarding the ideal consultation – non-directive, client-centred and non-judgmental. Both counsellor and the homeopath need to enter the psychological world of the patient. He further discusses NLP (though with some misgivings) and other techniques that he uses in eliciting a patient’s story.

Treating children, other homeopaths, doctors and scientists, psychotherapists and their patients are all given special considerations and insights, each getting their own chapter, in how to approach or what to look for in case-taking. Dr. Kaplan even offers a chapter on non-verbal clues and offers suggestions and samples to use for questionnaires (should one wish to use one – he does not).

He ends by discussing the all-important role of supervision, especially post graduate supervision which is sorely needed by homeopaths where, as yet, we are not authorities. We cannot be ‘without prejudice’ unless we articulate and work with our unconscious forces. He is convinced that getting to ‘know yourself’ and the feelings elicited by patients will increase your prescribing abilities. This book contains many stimulating thoughts, recommended readings, hints and exercises that one can use in developing both as a practitioner and as a person. Highly recommended…

Kate Soudant LicBSH ISHom

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Review in "The Homeopath"

Review from:
The Homeopath

This is the first book from Natural Medicine Press, and I am really pleased I bought it. In truth, it is rare that I read a work book from cover to cover. I took it on holiday along with some novels and (I know it’s a cliché), “I could not put it down”. Kaplan makes this book so personal that it really is a conversation.

He writes the book in common language and it is packed with advice on how to improve case-taking skills. He’s created a perfect guide for students and postgraduates.

The chapters on taking the chronic case, receiving vital information and the use of techniques in the consulting room show Kaplan’s approach to case taking. He openly shares his difficulties with us, discussing, for example, how to manage a situation where we inadvertently do or say the wrong thing. His sincerity, warmth and love of homeopathy are apparent in the reading of the book. Even with all his training and experience, Kaplan’s book is never condescending or intimidating to the new homeopath.

Kaplan is medically trained, as well as being a homeopath. In the book, he uses the work of Buber, Reich, Jung, Freud, Rogers, Hal and Sidra Stone, and brings in the methods of other disciplines, such as NLP, in order to show their relevance to us as homeopaths.

I am always trying to encourage students when they sit in with me or study practitioner-development, to learn from counselling and psychotherapy techniques. It has made such a difference to the way I practice, especially with complex cases. Kaplan provides us with plenty of examples from his practice, and those of his students, where understanding the dynamics in the consulting room has benefited patients. He then also shows the reader how that might lead to better prescriptions.

I loved the chapter on Carl Rogers and was also pleased to see mention of Hal and Sidra Stone’s ‘Voice Dialogue’ technique. (see www.delos-inc.com). I have used Stone’s work on dreams and inner voices and have linked it in with my prescribing. This has been so successful with my patients over the years, that I value my studies with them as an essential part of my continuing professional development, easily as important as attending homeopathic seminars.

Hope that this book will become recommended reading on the practitioner development courses as well as just good read on case taking skills.

Gabrielle Pinto BSc Lic Ac RSHom

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Review in "Homeopathy"

Review from:
Homeopathy (formerly the British Homeopathic Journal)

It always struck me as remarkable that in both Medicine and Homeopathy great emphasis was always placed on the analysis of the case history, and yet so little was taught about the methods by which the case taking could be improved. Without adequate information, further analysis is simply futile.

The ‘Problem Orientated Medical Record’ format many of us were taught, focused on a check list of symptoms and gave no space for either the doctor or practitioner to express themselves. A similar approach is often used to elicit homeopathic information, with even less success. To prescribe an accurate constitutional remedy, one must first understand one’s patient, and how his life experiences have moulded him into the person he is today. Unless there is a safe, comfortable environment available, there is no chance of gleaning this valuable information. Most tutors in Medical School, and indeed doctors in the big wide world outside, seem to only pay lip-service to the patient – doctor / practitioner relationship. These skills are so fundamental to the whole process of healing, yet students are left to find their own way. Learning is frequently a rather ‘hit and miss’ affair, based on observation of other practitioners.

The patient-doctor relationship must be based on mutual trust, respect and honouring of one another’s values, yet most of us recall ‘the gallbladder in bed 10′ scenario. Apart from the very obvious denigration of another human being, the potential richness of the patient’s wisdom is lost by this approach. The Art, and indeed the very humanity, of Medicine have often been sacrificed in the name of Science. It is little wonder burn-out and disillusionment are so common in the profession. For those who have not had the pleasure of being taught by Dr Kaplan, this book imparts the experience and knowledge of a respected homeopath, who has discovered, through years of practice, a variety of methods to improve one’s case taking skills and strengthen the relationship with one’s patients. This is ‘Page One stuff’ for all practitioners, yet despite being so essential, the book is so rarely taught. Written in an informal style, it is exceptionally easy to read. The style is fluid, entertaining and very informative. Although the main emphasis of the book is obviously the homeopathic conversation, there is much more included.

Dr Kaplan shares his personal journey from Medical School into Homeopathic Practice, a story that will resonate with many of his readers who also have been ‘brutalised’ by the methods of teaching and work experiences, victims of their superiors with ‘personality disorders’. There is a healthy injection of humour throughout the book! Dr Kaplan’s evolution as a homeopath and the main influences on his development are described. This is not a recipe book for the perfect case taking, more a sharing of valuable information on how each and every one of us can progress in our own unique way, and continually improve. After all homeopathy is all about individuality!

Dr Eric Ledermann was a profound influence on Kaplan, introducing him to the world of philosophy and psychology. By learning counselling skills and exploring these subjects, he brought fresh ideas and methods into his homeopathic conversations. Some branches of psychology were not for him; he dismisses Neuro-Linguistic Programming as being ‘too contrived and manipulative’ to feel comfortable with. That is a matter of opinion! Dr Kaplan feels more at home with Provocative Therapy, at which he excels. It is essential that each of us choose the technique that best suits us, yet be sufficiently open minded to appreciate that there are many means of achieving our aim. There has to be a balance between theoretical knowledge and the practical, Science and the Art. An encyclopaedic knowledge of the repertory and Materia Medica will not suffice.

After almost 20 years in Homeopathy, Dr Kaplan is a veritable gold mine of useful tips on managing a successful homeopathic relationship. He seamlessly blends the wisdom of Hahnemann with modern psychological theory, drawing in the theories of other disciplines. Examples abound to illustrate the concepts. He has many practical suggestions on how to elicit more information about the patient. Their art work, choice in music, appearance and body language are all potentially instructive. Often an ‘intuitive’ prescription is actually founded on a subliminal absorption of details. The more open the practitioner, the more reverent and still, the more this method can be utilised.

The book is aimed at all homeopathic practitioners, whatever their level of experience. We are all students of our profession and always have something new to learn. It is my hope that this book is placed on the essential reading list of every student of homeopathy.

Review by Marysia Kratimenos MB BS FRCS(Ed) MFHom

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Homeopathy

The Homeopath

The Homeopathic Times

British Holistic Veterinary Journal

Physiotherapy

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The Homeopathic Conversation

“It probably takes the better part of a lifetime to master the art of the homeopathic conversation. But there are some things in life that are worth waiting for…”

In this timely publication, Dr Brian Kaplan, medical doctor and internationally renowned homeopath and teacher, shares his insights into how to create and improve the most crucial factor in the practice of homeopathy – the bond of understanding between practitioner and patient.

In this personal and passionately argued book, Dr Kaplan traces his journey away from the mechanistic world of conventional medicine towards the empathetic, person-centred philosophy of homeopathy. He explains the unique approach of this increasingly respected alternative medicine, explores the ideas and philosophies of its pioneers, and provides reasoned advice, based on more than two decades of committed practice and study, on how to fulfil its huge potential as a healing art.

The Homeopathic Conversation is a must-read for practitioners, teachers, students, patients and anyone else with a serious interest in homeopathy.

“Dr Brian Kaplan is a passionate teacher who builds on his insights from his clinical work and courageously and entertainingly shares his journey with all who listen.”– Dr David Owen, former president, Faculty of Homeopathy .”

_______________________________________________

for “The Homeopathic Conversation”

German Edition of “The Homeopathic Conversation” :

_______________________________________________

The Homeopathic Conversation:
The Art of Taking the Case
Dr Brian Kaplan MBBCh. MFHom

UK Price: £14.99
(P&P extra)

Paperback (2nd edition, March 2002)
Natural Medicine Press
ISBN 1-903952-00-X

BUY HERE:

If you would like single/multiple copies of this book, please e-mail: nmp@blueyonder.co.uk

and your request will be dealt with promptly. Books can be dispatched within 12 hours.

Natural Medicine Press
140 Harley Street
London W1G 7LB
TEL: +4420-7372 1615

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