Dr Rajesh Shah, a homeopath, belongs to a new generation of Internet physicians. For the past 10 years, the 43 year old has been offering medical treatment and consultation to thousands of patients from more than a 100 countries via email and videoconferencing from 20 Websites, including the popular, www.askdrshah.com. He made his entry into the Limca Book of Records in 2000 in recognition for treating patients from over 77 countries.

Get homeopathic treatment at the click of a mouse
DNA, February 6, 2006

Dr Rajesh Shah, a homeopath, belongs to a new generation of Internet physicians. For the past 10 years, the 43 year old has been offering medical treatment and consultation to thousands of patients from more than a 100 countries via email and videoconferencing from 20 Websites, including the popular,www.askdrshah.com. He made his entry into the Limca Book of Records in 2000 in recognition for treating patients from over 77 countries.

"Ever since I graduated from the medical school in 1984, it was my mission to let people know of the homeopathy advantage," said Dr. Shah. "My Web sites talk about the role of homeopathy in treating various chronic diseases. They have served as a reference to millions."

Closer to home, Dr Shah started Life Force Centre in 1995, with his wife, Rupal, who is also a practicing homeopath. It is an ISO 9001:2000 homeopathic clinic and research center based in Ghatkopar east.

Dr. Shah has taught extensively in the UK, the US, the European union and Japan. At his clinic, Dr Shah constantly researches on finding newer molecules for chronic diseases, and designs innovative approaches and strategies.

"It is not possible to handle the treatment solely on the basis of technology, " Dr Shah said. "I have appointed nine full-time professionals (doctors) in different medical fields, who consult and share their treatment ideas."

The online consulting and treatment modus operandi is as follows: Collect an exhaustive case file through an e-mail questionnaire. It is followed by analysis by a team of specialists that include homeopathic doctors, pediatricians, dermatologists and nephrologists. Once the treatment is devised, the prescribed medication is imported from Germany and sent to patients' home through couriers. The system also allows for online follow-up and re-evaluation.
"Recently, we introduced online chatting to encourage direct patient interaction with experts on our Web site, " Dr Shah added.

Though some homeopaths are enthusiastic about Dr Shah's online service, they remain skeptical.

Dr Jyothi Bhivandker, a homeopath from Mahim, said, "It is an innovative way of treating patients. Even patients from abroad visit my clinic, but the use of new techniques in treatment is good to hear." Dr Malti Kappuswami, who practices in Prabhadevi, said, "I do not know how much scope online treatment offers patients who opt for homeopathy. In homeopathy, doctors should study the body language of the patients. Normally, the treatment is offered over several sittings. We have to read the patients' mindset. Proper communication is essential. Nothing short of that will cure patients."

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