Why PhaseRep: Is there a need for yet another repertory program?
PhaseRep began as an attempt to make repertorization more simple, objective and certain – for personal use. However, in its present form, PhaseRep and this website represent much more than that.
There is tremendous resistance to any new idea, and that is difficult to overcome. However, there is hardly any thinking homoeopath who can object to the following:
It promotes freeware in Homoeopathy. There are few quality free programs and resources in Homoeopathy – whereas in every other field, high quality freeware is abundant. The most notable free resources available currently to Homoeopaths are:
Zandvoort's Complete Repertory - the entire book is available for free, with powerful search options.
Vithoulkas Compass was the first repertory software that could be run on modern smart devices, including tablets. PhaseRep also demonstrates the possibility of mobile computing in Homoeopathy – programs that can be used on tablets, smartphones etc. This is not the future of technology... it is the present.
It introduces the idea of double repertorization. Confirming whether a drug that seems indicated actually has the keynotes is not a new idea, it has been around right from the inception of homoeopathy. For example, if the patient seems to need nat-m, we might ask her how she reacts to consolation / sympathy. However, repertorizing a second time is a unique idea.
It demonstrates that a very small repertory can still give significant results. Boger's Synoptic Key already did this, but PhaseRep is significantly smaller.
It introduces the possibility of direct combinations to draw attention to a drug. Nash, Kent and others have clearly indicated such combinations – for e.g., Nash gives in Lac-can – "if the breasts and throat get sore during menstruation, and if the menses flows in gushes instead of continuously, the remedy is lac-can". In the case published on this site, Crataegus came through simply because of "sleepless + heart". Once you get an idea, you can take it to the Materia Medica.
It makes objective repertorizing a reality. One may feel other rubrics would be more appropriate (e.g., more cravings/aversions), but PhaseRep demonstrates that it is possible to have an objective repertory.
It would be wonderful if other programs were to use these ideas, as we feel they are very sound, and will benefit the cause of homoeopathy.