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Edzard ErnstRSS Feed of this column.

Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FMedSci, FSB, FRCP, FRCPEd, has published 49 books and more than 1,000 articles in the peer-reviewed medical literature. His work has been awarded with 15 scientific awards... Read More »

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Alternative Medicine: What The Public Needs Is Responsible, Critical Assessments

Alternative Medicine: What The Public Needs Is Responsible, Critical Assessments

May 12 2016 | comment(s)

As I am new here, it might be a good idea to briefly introduce myself. I am a physician, trained in Germany, whose very first post as a freshly-backed doctor happened to be in Germany’s only homeopathic hospital. At the time (mid 1970s), I had no idea that this experience would determine so much of my professional life.

Subsequently, I became a conventional doctor until I risked a complete career change: I went to London and worked in a research laboratory. This is when I began to think as a scientist. Later, I returned to Germany, did a PhD and, for many years, worked simultaneously as a scientist as well as a clinician.