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Repertorisation is not only a mechanical process of counting rubrics
and totaling marks obtained by a medicine, it also includes the
logical steps to reach the repertory proper and finally differentiating
the remedies with the help of Materia Medica. Repertory follows
the logic of Induction & Deduction. The steps to repertorisation
start from case taking and end by finding out similimum. They
are:-
1)
Case taking.
2)
Recording and interpretation.
3)
Defining the problem.
4)
Classifications and evaluation of symptoms.
5)
Erecting totality.
6)
Selection of repertory and repertorisation proper.
7)
Repertorial result.
8)
Analysis and prescription.
Case Taking
Dr. Kent once mentioned to his followers, ‘There are lot of symptom,
but there is no case’. What is the case then ? A case comprises
of symptoms which, gives the totality of a person’s suffering.
The totality of symptoms, forms a case for the physician. In every
event there exists a totality provided an expert can perceive it;
likewise, in every alteration of state of health a totality exists
which can be perceived by a physician.
Case taking is the first step, and the outcome of treatment entirely
depends upon the success of this first step. Any mistake committed
here would certainly interfere in the selection of drugs and planning
of the treatment.
A physician should be clear about his job in the beginning itself
and must possess a clear understanding about the case. For Homoeopathic
physician, expressions at all levels, mental, physical, general
and particular, are required to individualize the person as well
as to diagnose the condition. If this is clear in the beginning,
case taking will be on the right lines. It is a unique art of getting
into conversation, of serving and collecting data from patient as
well as from the bystanders to define the patient as a person and
disease. The purpose is to understand both the person and the disease.
This particular method and approach is different from other systems
of medicine
There has been much discussion on case taking by many stalwarts
and this subject has been dealt-with at length but still many make
mistakes while applying this art in practice. This being an art,
the individual skill plays an important role in applying the rules
of case taking. It is difficult to apply a uniform standard in all
the cases and in respect of all physicians. In case taking, physician
applies his ability and skills of communication keeping in view
his objective. As case taking is individualized in approach, there
are several suggestions offered and numerous models of case taking
forms are available to the practioners. Some are in the form of
questionnaires, some in the form of multiple choice questions, and
so on. Dr Dhawale has devised a Standardized Case Record which has
a fixed form, structure and function. It can be most useful to the
profession if used properly.
Dr Hahnemann has described the necessary guidelines which should
be taken into consideration while taking a case, in aphorisms 83-104
of Organon of Medicine. Throughout the process of case taking, the
patient should be cooperative. He should be assured of the confidentiality
of data. If patient narrates well and fully, the task becomes easier
for the physician. Apart from the collection of data, case taking
has got its own therapeutic value in certain type of cases, if not
all. Personal experience in certain cases has convinced the author
about the therapeutic value of it. Many patients ventilate certain
experiences unexpressed for years which keep on disturbing them
and giving rise to very many physical and mental symptoms. Very
often after the case taking, the patient says, “Doctor, I feel
much relieved after talking to you", and then a similimum
completes its job. It should be a free exchange between the patient
and the physician. Both verbal and non-verbal communication of
the physician can either encourage or discourage the patient in
opening up various events and their effects on him. It is a very
delicate, yet dynamic situation, where the physician should remain
attentive so that disclosures are properly received. Physician
should be aware of is own problems of communication to gain more
from this highly dynamic process. In some cases, even if one thread
is missed, arriving at the totality would become difficult. Nothing
else should keep the physician occupied other than the case taking.
To understand the feelings properly, a physician should be expert
in role playing. He should acknowledge the feelings of the patient,
but empathy should replace sympathy while dealing with sensitive
cases. At the end of the interview with the patient, physician should
have a clear definition of the problem. This is not always easy
to achieve. If physician remains in confusion at the level of case
taking, further steps in repertorisation would become intractable.
A shaky foundation would certainly mar even the best of the superstructure.
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