1. Anthroposophic Medicine as integrative medicine
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2. Anthroposophic Medicine as integrative medicine
AM is a science-based medical system, integrating conventional medicine with an anthroposophic perception of the human being
AM uses both conventional and anthroposophic medicinal products (AMP), in addition special anthroposophic therapies like eurythmy therapy, artistic therapies, special nursing and physical therapies
There is significant research activity in AM (ca. 100 scientific publications/anno)
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3. What is integrative medicine?
“Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.”
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4. Why can anthroposophic medicine be seen as an example of best practice of integrative medicine? (1)
importance of the relationship between doctor or therapist and patient
patient is part of the healing process
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5. Why can anthroposophic medicine be seen as an example of best practice of integrative medicine? (2)
Focuses on the whole person
AM takes into account the different levels of the human being
physical level: surgery, physical interventions
vitality improvement (salutogenesis)
psychological/emotional level: intervention to lower/remove anxiety (psychotherapeutic, but also artistic therapies)
individuality level (spiritual level, ego): improvement of self- confidence, sense of coherence
Takes into account the human being in his/her biographic situation
Assists further development through the management of crises
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6. Why can anthroposophic medicine be seen as an example of best practice of integrative medicine? (3)
informed by evidence:
interventions in AM are based on the understanding of the system of AM
increasing research evidence (at the moment 100 papers/anno)
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7. Why can anthroposophic medicine be seen as an example of best practice of integrative medicine? (4)
makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches of conventional medicine and anthroposophic therapeutic modalities
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8. Why can anthroposophic medicine be seen as an example of best practice of integrative medicine? (5)
Makes use of all healthcare professionals
Doctors (in all specialisations)
Nurses
Physiotherapists
Psychotherapists
Dietary coaches
Eurythmy therapists
Art therapists
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9. Anthroposophic Medicine as integrative medicine
AM is practiced since 1920 by licensed physicians (all fields of medicine) with additional special training in AM
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10. The founders of anthroposophic medicine
Dr.phil. Rudolf Steiner
, philosopher
and scientist
Dr.med. Ita Wegman
, medical doctor
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11. Principles of anthroposophic medicine
AM starts with a conventional diagnosis, but includes in its assessment of the patient the imbalances of the body and a psychological, mental and spiritual dimension
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12. Anthroposophic Medicine
Conventional medicine
Homeopathy
Anthroposophic medicinal
products and therapies
Anthroposophic nurses, dietary,
physiotherapy, eurythmy
therapy, therapeutic arts and
psychotherapy
Phytotherapy
Anthroposophic Medicine
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13. Principles of anthroposophic medicine …focuses on the whole person…
AM takes a holistic approach to health and offers specific therapies enhanced according to anthroposophic principles
Both the treatment approach and the use and selection of medicinal products and other therapies are highly individualised and intend to bring about a ‘process of development’ within the patient, reinforcing the patient’s natural ability for self-healing and restoring of the health balance
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14. Principles of anthroposophic medicine
Anthroposophic medicinal products and therapies stimulate the self healing forces of the patient
AM aims to put forward patient-competence enableing the patient to participate well informed actively in the process of healing
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15. Integration into the Health System Anthroposophic hospitals
AM is provided in 24 hospitals in 5 EU member states and Switzerland
14 having Accident & Emergency services, 2 are university teaching hospitals
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16. Anthroposophic hospitals Filderklinik Stuttgart, Germany
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17. Anthroposophic hospitals
Witten/Herdecke district hospital: founded 1966, 440 beds
Filderklinik Stuttgart, founded1975, 219 beds
Havelhöhe district hospital in Berlin, founded 1995, 318 beds
Ita Wegman Klinik Switzerland
Vidarklinik, Järna, Sweden
Lievegoedkliniek, the Netherlands
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18. Clinical-Therapeutic Institute 1921 Ita Wegman Clinic 2008 Arlesheim (CH)
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19. Anthroposophic medicine Integration into legislation
In Germany AM is since 1976 defined as “special therapeutic system” [Besondere Therapierichtung] in the Code of German Social Law (Sozialgesetzbuch V)
In Switzerland anthroposophic medicine is defined as part of CAM under constitutional law
In other countries anthroposophic medical products, AMP, are in pharmaceutical law
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20. Anthroposophic medicine in Europe (1)
AM is practiced by more than 2700 fully AM trained licensed medical doctors in 21 EU member states, Norway and Switzerland
In addition AM is prescribed by about physicians with various levels of training
The number of ex tempore prescribers may be even physicians
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22. AM in Europe (2)
Anthroposophic therapies are provided by >7000 anthroposophic therapists and nurses in 25 EU members states (exception of Luxembourg and Slovakia)
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23. AM is regularly taught at universities and medical schools in 7 EU Member states and Switzerland
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24. Anthroposophic medicine in Europe (3)
AM is provided in >120 outpatient centres in 14 EU member states, Norway and Switzerland
AM is provided in >500 institutions for people with learning disabilities in 19 EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland
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26. Anthroposophic medicine as integrative medicine
AM is a typical method of integrative medicine
AM is well integrated into the general Health Care System in many countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UK
AMPs can be safely handled as a total of remedies of a medical system rather than a bunch of separate groups of different categories for registration
In Germany the committee of experts within the National Compentent Authority (Commission C within BfArM) has been proven useful for the regulation of AMPs
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27. Challenges for AM and AMP in Europe
The legal situation for AMP is not satisfactory, as Dir 2001/83 does not provide the basis for regulations in EU MS which are adequate to the special features of AM with exception of Germany and Switzerland
In particular the availability of injectables (ampulles) and AMP applied by other routes than orally or externally - and medicines used with indications (f.e. mistletoe) is unsecured
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28. UN-Availability of Anthroposophic medicinal products AMP
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29. Recommandations for AM and AMP in Europe
Models of integrative medicine should be integrated into Public Health Policies in all EU MS
Research projects like CAMbrella should be propagated
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30. National slides
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31. Anthroposophic medicine
Bring here facts about AM in your own country.
Be aware that small numbers work against you so if so try to avoid them.
Better bring pictures of what there is.
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32. Anthroposophic medicine as integrative medicine
Conclusion:
Anthroposophic medicine is an example of integrative medicine existing for 90 years in Europe and …….years in our country.
Patients are asking for it.
It is important for AM in this country that:………..
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33. Challenges for AM and AMP in Europe (2)
Free cross border movement of patients is implemented only in theory (i.e. a patient from Finland can attend a physician in Germany) but the current legal framework does not guarantee that the patient gets his or her prescription in his/here home country
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