How does a three-year medical training program begin? This Gedenktafel Peter Sohn plaque commemorates a man who shaped homoeopathic medical training. It is located at Nassauische Strasse 2 in Wilmersdorf. This was the home and practice of Dr. Peter Sohn.
Let’s delve into the story of Peter Sohn. Peter Sohn was a homoeopathic doctor. He lived from 1946 to 2019. From 1983 to 1987, he chaired the Berliner Vereins homöopathischer Ärzte e.V. This is the Berlin Association of Homoeopathic Doctors. Sohn significantly influenced medical training in classical homoeopathy. His influence extended throughout the German-speaking world. The training program he shaped was a three-year, postgraduate course.
In October 2012, Dr. Ursula Dohms interviewed Peter Sohn. Dohms was the chairperson of the Berliner Vereins homöopathischer Ärzte. The interview provides insight into the beginnings of homoeopathic training in Berlin.
Sohn recalled joining the Berliner Vereins homöopathischer Ärzte in 1977. At that time, membership required a Zusatzbezeichnung Homöopathie. This was a special designation in homoeopathy. The Ärztekammer awarded it. Previously, the Berliner Verein itself had awarded it. Applicants needed proof of participation in three weekend courses. They also needed to submit an application to the Ärztekammer Berlin.
Sohn’s initial application faced unexpected hurdles. Despite multiple inquiries, his application was ignored. Sohn felt the chamber was overwhelmed by his request. They might not have understood what to do. No one had applied for this designation in years. The Berliner Verein’s lawyer intervened. After almost a year, Sohn finally received his Zusatzbezeichnung.
Sohn was unimpressed with the weekend courses. He found it hard to believe homoeopathy could be learned in three weekends. What he heard often contradicted what he had learned.
Sohn’s homoeopathic education began at age ten. His teacher was Dr. Dr. Hanns Laudenberg. Laudenberg was a student and friend of Pierre Schmidt. Schmidt was the father of classical homoeopathy in Europe. Sohn’s education starkly contrasted with prevailing practices.
The dominant approach was naturwissenschaftlich-kritische Homöopathie. This approach mirrored conventional medicine. Practitioners used potentized remedies instead of allopathic drugs. They often combined both. High potencies and some of Hahnemann’s ideas were frowned upon. Only a few classical practitioners existed in Germany.
In Berlin, Sohn found a similar situation to the Zentralverein homöopathischer Ärzte. Homoeopathy was not widespread in northern Germany. After the Berlin Wall’s construction, it further declined. Only two or three elderly members of the association still practiced. They practiced in the described manner. Continuing education occurred only once a year. It took place at the annual meeting. A colleague read a chapter from Mezger’s materia medica. In 1979, the Ärztekammer removed the Zusatzbezeichnung Homöopathie.
After a break, Sohn reconnected with the Berliner Verein. Word spread that he was a Klassiker. People interested in learning homoeopathy contacted him. Soon, he had two private groups meeting regularly and for free. The Verein approached him again. They needed training opportunities. Sohn was offered the position of 2nd Chairman. Unexpectedly, he was elected 1st Chairman at the 1983 annual meeting.
Much work lay ahead. First, they needed teaching spaces. The Verein’s new classrooms soon proved insufficient. Within two years, they had over a hundred new course registrations. They had to move to the TU. New curricula were needed. They formulated Leitlinien zum Erlernen der Klassischen Homöopathie. This translates to Guidelines for Learning Classical Homoeopathy. They realistically set the course duration at three years. It included intermediate and final exams. They also held monthly theme evenings with lectures. These were documented in Elemente zur Berliner Homöopathie.
This Gedenktafel Peter Sohn plaque stands as a testament. It honors a man who transformed homoeopathic education. His dedication shaped the landscape of classical homoeopathy in Germany.