Forming connections in the homeopathic consultation.

OBJECTIVE: A previous study which explored homeopathic practitioners' in depth understanding and experiences of homeopathic consultations identified "connecting" as a key component of the consultation. This paper reports on "connecting" and its role in the consultation.

METHOD: Using a qualitative grounded theory approach data was collected from homeopaths using in-depth interviews, observations of homeopathic consultations and solicited practitioner reflective diaries. Constant comparison assisted code, concept and category formation to form a model of the UK classical homeopathic consultation.

RESULTS: "Connecting", describes a complex notion of relationship in the homeopathic consultation consisting of four dimensions, and performs several roles within the consultation that enable practitioners to elicit symptoms, identify expectations, assist with prescribing, help patients engage with homeopathic principles and stimulate healing.

CONCLUSION: This study shows the homeopath as an important component of the therapeutic context forming complex relationships and using communication that is skills based and inductively shaped to interpret and respond to each individual patient and their narrative in the consultation.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study could have implications for teachers, students and practitioners of homeopathy by influencing training needs, and could prove instructive for other clinicians as homeopaths' communication style could be used to augment other consultations.