What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop a standardized tool to quantitatively assess susceptibility to homeopathic potencies.

May 3, 2026

Is Susceptibility to Homeopathic Potency a Measurable Construct? Development of an Assessment Tool by Mixed-Methods Research.

Puntos clave

The aim is to develop a standardized tool to quantitatively assess susceptibility to homeopathic potencies.
Exploratory sequential mixed-methods design (qual → QUAN) used for tool development.
Conceptual domains identified through literature review and expert input, with item salience estimated by Smith's index.
Pilot testing by 15 trainees assessed clarity and feasibility, with preliminary ROC analysis for classification thresholds.
Optimal cut-off points for susceptibility identified as low (<60.7), moderate (60.7-66.9), and high (>66.9).
ROC analysis showed high sensitivity and specificity, with curves reflecting effective score calibration.
Preliminary validity measures were established, indicating potential for standardized potency selection.

Resumen

Background: Susceptibility, a foundational concept in homeopathy, denotes an individual's reactive capacity that governs disease manifestation, remedy response and potency selection. Despite its central role, susceptibility has remained a qualitative construct without standardized measurement. This study aimed to conceptualize and develop a content-validated instrument to measure susceptibility to different potencies of homeopathic medicines. Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design (qual → QUAN) was employed. Conceptual domains were identified through classical literature review and expert free-listing, with item salience estimated using Smith's salience index. Face validity was assessed by four independent raters, followed by Delphi-based content validation with another five-member expert panel using average congruency percentage (ACP), content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index (CVI), including I-CVI (content validity index: item-specific) and S-CVI (content validity index: scale-specific), and kappa statistics. A pilot test by 15 postgraduate trainees (end-users) evaluated clarity and feasibility. An exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to preliminarily calibrate score thresholds against expert-rated susceptibility levels (low, medium, high). Results: 66.9). Conclusion: This study presents the first standardized, content-validated and pilot-tested instrument to quantify susceptibility in homeopathy. The exploratory ROC findings provide preliminary empirical thresholds for classifying susceptibility levels, supporting more consistent and objective potency selection. Further psychometric testing, including reliability and construct validity, will be reported elsewhere.

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