Research is a systematic process of inquiry that transforms clinical observations into validated knowledge. In healthcare, it helps determine the effectiveness, scope, and limitations of treatments, ensuring that patient care is guided by both evidence and ethics. It enables continuous improvement, builds trust, and allows knowledge to be shared and replicated for the benefit of society.
Homoeopathy is based on the principle of treating the individual as a whole, considering physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. This individualised approach distinguishes it from conventional research models that rely on standardisation.
While homoeopathy is widely used in chronic and complex conditions, its validation requires innovative research approaches that can accommodate personalisation without compromising scientific rigour. Bridging this gap remains central to advancing homoeopathic science.
Dr M. L. Dhawale laid the foundation for scientific research in homoeopathy by emphasising structured documentation and critical analysis. His development of the Standardised Case Record (SCR©) in 1968 marked a significant advancement in making individualised treatment measurable and research-oriented.
The SCR© system provides a comprehensive and objective framework to document patient data, clinical reasoning, and treatment outcomes. This has enabled homoeopathy to generate credible evidence while preserving its core philosophy.
The research department has given equal importance to developing human resources. The research team at the Dhawale Trust actively encourages aspiring homoeopaths to pursue research opportunities. The MLDT, through its undergraduate and postgraduate programs, ensures that students participate in research projects. For their internships, postgraduate dissertations, and PhD theses, students and scholars engage in a diverse range of research activities, not only to satisfy their intellectual curiosity but also to benefit the larger community.
The MLD Trust has successfully completed over 600 high-quality dissertation projects in clinical research, agro-homoeopathy, and veterinary homoeopathy. Additionally, the Trust organises research workshops for PhD and postgraduate students, as well as teaching faculty, in collaboration with various universities across India. Consequently, many students trained at MLDT have assumed greater responsibilities by conducting research in various colleges and at the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy.
The MLD Trust’s contributions to research were recognised by the Ministry of AYUSH, which designated it as a Centre of Excellence in Homoeopathy for Research and Medical Informatics in 2017.
The Trust has consistently integrated research with community healthcare delivery.
Key initiatives include:
A Government of India-funded study established standardised approaches in homoeopathic management while defining its scope and limitations.
Projects in Palghar addressing scabies in school children and acute diarrhoea in anganwadi populations.
Studies conducted in Mumbai focusing on scholastic challenges in vernacular medium students.
Research on scholastic difficulties across centres in Mumbai, Palghar, and Bengaluru.
The research department has undertaken collaborative research with the Central Council in Research in Homoeopathy, GOI, in areas of Ophthalmology and Diabetes Mellitus. A few more projects on malnutrition, cerebral palsy, anaemia in pregnancy, and other conditions with national and international partners.
