Links to information on website of Homeopathic Research Institute (HRI)
Observational studies
These are clinical research studies that follow research participants over time without changing their treatment. In these studies inferences are drawn or hypotheses tested through observational methods. They usually involve some form of systematic documentation of clinical practice and are neither randomised nor controlled in design.
Experimental studies
In experimental studies – also called clinical trials – participants are allocated to the different treatment options by a random process. The therapy under investigation is compared with a control group, which might be well-established treatment, non-treatment, different doses of the same treatment, sham or placebo treatment, full-scale treatment, minimal treatment or alternative treatment.
Treatment effects estimated by trials of randomised and non-randomised design can be similar in magnitude.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Clinical files databases are a valuable tool as long as they fulfil the required quality critera and ensure the protection of the patient’s privacy.
Handling patient information is at the core of our profession. With increasing use being made of electronic patient files, a new concern has arisen: the privacy and protection of information. Healthcare professionals in the European Union must comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“Sensitive personal data” is subject to greater protections than other forms of personal data. There are three types of such data as defined by GDPR which are particularly relevant to healthcare professionals and organisations: data concerning health, genetic data and biometric data. Explicit consent must be given for the processing of this data. In addition, sensitive data may need, amongst other requirements, to be encrypted, anonymised, password-protected.
In order to maintain the standards of the homeopathic profession in line with the legal requirements of healthcare practice in general, ECH endorses compliance with GDPR standards for any individual or company dealing with sensitive personal homeopathic data.
