Every Patient Is Different: Why Individualised Care Matters in Homeopathy By Dr. Vikas Singhal

Healthcare is increasingly moving towards a patientcentred approach in which a diagnosis is viewed as one part of a much larger clinical picture For people living with chronic or recurring health concerns understanding medical history symptom patterns lifestyle investigations and individual circumstances can be important in developing an appropriate care planThe scale of chronic disease makes this conversation increasingly relevant According to the World Health Organization WHO noncommunicable diseases caused at least 43 million deaths globally in 2021 accounting for 7537 of nonpandemicrelated deaths Cardiovascular diseases cancers chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes represented a significant share of this burden WHO also identifies factors including physical inactivity unhealthy diets tobacco use harmful alcohol consumption and air pollution as contributors to NCD riskAgainst this background healthcare cannot always be understood with the name of a disease alone Two people may receive the same diagnosis while having different medical histories symptoms triggers lifestyle factors and responses to treatment This is where individualised assessment becomes relevantThis approach has been an important part of the clinical philosophy of Dr Vikas Singhal a classical homeopathic physician with 23 years of professional experience Practising since 2004 Dr Singhal has focused on detailed casetaking and understanding the individual pattern of symptoms over looking at a diagnostic label in isolation His approach considers the patients history lifestyle symptoms relevant investigations and changes observed during followupOne of the distinctive aspects of Dr Vikas clinical practice is the emphasis on maintaining detailed patient records over the long term As per the Dr Vikas the clinic has maintained patient histories and followup records for nearly 2425 years These records include information about symptoms clinical history investigations and changes observed during the course of followupDr Vikas Singhals perspective also extends beyond choosing one healthcare system over another His forthcoming book Future of Integrative Healthcare From Competition to Collaboration explores the need for a more collaborative and patientcentred approach to healthcare The book looks at how conventional medicine preventive care nutrition mental health lifestyle management and evidencebased complementary approaches can work together responsibly with the patients needs remaining at the centre of decisionmakingFor patients with complex or recurring conditions maintaining such a longitudinal record can provide a clearer picture than relying only on memory or a single consultation Previous imaging laboratory reports and other relevant investigations can be reviewed alongside the patients reported symptoms and subsequent observationsFor example where inflammatory markers or imaging studies are clinically relevant comparing earlier and later reports can help doctors and patients understand how the clinical picture has changed over time This does not by itself establish that a particular treatment caused the change but it creates a documented timeline that can support more structured clinical discussions and followupDr Vikas Singhal believes that this kind of documentation can also help patients participate more meaningfully in conversations about their health When relevant reports and clinical records are reviewed alongside symptoms patients can have a clearer understanding of what has changed and what still requires attentionIt is important however to distinguish clinical documentation from scientific evidence Longterm patient records and individual case observations can contribute to professional learning and generate questions for further research but they are not substitutes for appropriately designed clinical studies For complementary medicine in particular strengthening the evidence base remains an important area for future researchDr Vikas Singhals perspective also extends beyond choosing one healthcare system over another His ongoing work on a book about individualised and personalised care reflects his view that patients may require a combination of appropriate medical approaches depending on their individual circumstancesThis can include medical evaluation and investigations medicines where clinically indicated nutritional guidance lifestyle changes physical activity and yoga or other supportive practices where appropriate Conventional medicine and modern diagnostic technology also have an important role particularly when a condition requires specialist evaluation urgent intervention or ongoing medical managementThe underlying principle is that the patients needs should come before the preference for any particular system of medicine A patient may not be concerned about whether an intervention belongs to conventional medicine homeopathy Ayurveda yoga or another approach the more important questions are whether it is appropriate safe supported by evidence and being used responsiblyThis does not mean that different systems should be combined automatically Integrative healthcare requires professional judgement clear communication appropriate referral and respect for the evidence available for each interventionThe global healthcare conversation is moving in this direction as well WHOs Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 20252034 identifies four broad objectives strengthening the evidence base supporting safe and effective traditional complementary and integrative medicine through appropriate regulation integrating safe and effective approaches into health systems where appropriate and encouraging crosssector collaborationFor homeopathy specifically scientific evidence remains an important consideration The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH states that there is little evidence supporting homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition and advises against replacing proven conventional care with homeopathy It also notes that some products labelled as homeopathic may contain active ingredients capable of causing side effects or interactionsThis makes transparency particularly important Individualised care should not mean avoiding diagnosis investigations or conventional medical treatment when they are required Instead it should mean understanding the individual patient recognising the limits of available evidence and making healthcare decisions responsiblyFor Dr Vikas Singhal the next phase of this journey is still not simply about developing a clinical practice but also documenting clinical experiences motivating more structured conversations around evidence and promoting a patientcentred understanding of healthcare His academic background which includes a BSc in Biology a Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education a BHMS and an MSc in Microbiology further reflects his interest in viewing health through multiple disciplinesIn the end personalised healthcare is not about promising one solution for every patient It is about recognising that every individual brings a different history set of circumstances and healthcare needs Better documentation appropriate investigations evidenceinformed decisionmaking professional collaboration and individual attention can help create more responsible conversations around longterm healthFor Dr Vikas Singhal the central question remains simple healthcare should be guided not by the identity of a particular system but by what is appropriate for the patient supported by evidence and delivered with safety and professional responsibility

Every Patient Is Different: Why Individualised Care Matters in Homeopathy By Dr. Vikas Singhal

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Every Patient Is Different: Why Individualised Care Matters in Homeopathy By Dr. Vikas Singhal

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