Dear fellow practitioner

I am conducting research in conjunction with the Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia on contemporary homoeopathic practice in situations of venomous bites and stings. Please find following an information statement and a questionnaire. If you would like to participate simply copy and paste the questionnaire and email back to me. Alternatively send me an email and I send you the questionnaire as a word document. Your participation by completing attached questionnaire would be greatly appreciated. Hoping to receive your reply.

With kind regards

Geoffrey Vargas




Information statement

Investigator: Konrad Geoffrey Vargas, BSc.
Honour student at Charles Sturt University
Homoeopathic practitioner
Phone: +61-8-9529 2378

Supervisor: Dr Jenny Wilkinson
School of Biomedical Sciences
Phone: +61-2-69334019,
e-mail: jwilkinson@csu.edu.au

Dr Robyn Kewley
School of Biomedical Sciences
Phone: +61-2-6933 2452
e-mail: rkewley@csu.edu.au

Host institution: Charles Sturt University

Venomous creatures and homoeopathy
Investigation of current practise of homoeopathic practitioners to treat bites and stings

The purpose of this project is to investigate homoeopathic practices specifically in relation to treatments of stings and bites. Data gathered in this study will be used to better understand homoeopathic practice with respect to the treatment of bites and stings.

All information will be dealt with anonymously and published data would be based on an aggregate of all responses. The names of participants in this survey and the information acquired will be kept separately. All information given is strictly confidential. The time required to complete the survey is approximately 15-30 minutes. Please answer the enclosed questionnaire to the best of your abilities.

NOTE: Charles Sturt University’s Ethics in Human Research Committee has approved this project. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the Executive Officer:
The Executive Officer
Ethics in Human Research Committee
Academic Secretariat
Charles Sturt University
Private Mail Bag 29
Bathurst NSW 2795

Tel: +61-2-6338 4628
Fax: +61-2-6338 4194
Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.

By completing and returning this survey you are consenting to be involved in
this project.

Please return the questionnaire in any of the following ways
E-mail: kgvargas@yahoo.com
Mail: K.G.Vargas, 70 Cygnus Street, Rockingham, WA 6168, AUSTRALIA
Fax: +61-8-9529 2378



Venomous creatures and homoeopathy
Investigation of current practise of homoeopathic practitioners to treat bites and stings

By completing this questionnaire, I am consenting to participation in the above study.
• I understand that I am free to withdraw my participation in the research at any time, and that if I do I will not be subjected to any penalty or discriminatory treatment.
• The purpose of the research has been explained to me, and I have read and understood the written explanation given to me.
• I understand that any information or personal details gathered in the course of this research about me are confidential and that neither my name nor any other identifying information will be used or published without my written permission.

Questionnaire

1. Have you used homoeopathic remedies in the treatment of snake, spider, bee, wasp or hornet bites/stings?
Yes No

2. Please specify which bite or sting situations you prescribed for and how often as well as in which situations you would never use homoeopathics and in which situations you would consider doing so?

Name of venomous creature daily weekly monthly yearly Less often please specify Would never use Would consider use Never treated this





















For bites and stings, which you have TREATED please complete the following table

Name of venomous creature remedies, potencies & frequency Your perceived success On which symptoms did you base your prescription. Please continue below or on back page if space is insufficient
1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.



7.


8.


9.



10.







3. Did any of your patients who were treated homoeopathically in venomous bite or sting situations require further homoeopathic or orthodox treatment? Please specify







4. Have you had any comments or feedback from orthodox medical practitioners about your treatment of stings and bites using homoeopathic remedies?
Yes No

If so, please specify __________________________________________


5. What is your age? ______________ years

6. What is your gender? Male • Female •


7. Which country do you practice in? ________________________



8. What is your training both homoeopathically and other?
•Diploma degree, please specify ________________________________
•Tertiary training, please specify ________________________________
•Other, please specify ________________________________________

9. What are your qualifications? ___________________________________

__________________________________________________ _________

10. How many years have you been in practice?

11. How many patients do you see approximately per year?

12. Do you practise full time or part time?

13. Where do you practice from, eg home, clinic, hospital or other?


Please return the questionnaire in any of the following ways
E-mail: kgvargas@yahoo.com
Mail: K.G.Vargas, 70 Cygnus Street, Rockingham, WA 6168, AUSTRALIA
Fax: +61-8-9529 2378