The IVAA (International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations) represents and coordinates the National Anthroposophic Doctors´ Associations on both, the European and international level in regard to political and legal affairs. As the international umbrella organization of National Anthroposophic Medical Associations, IVAA represents anthroposophic medical doctors in 21 EU member-states, with member associations in 15 member-states (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, Latvia, Austria, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden). In addition IVAA represents the 5 anthroposophic doctors organisations in France and the anthroposophic doctors in Bulgaria, Eire, Hungary, Lithuania and Portugal. At the moment (2010) the IVAA has members in 30 countries worldwide. In general anthroposophic Medicine is practiced in 65 countries worldwide.
The IVAA activities include:
- Representation at the European/ international level including the necessary interaction with the representatives of the political institutions and administrative authorities at the EU level
- Pro-active participation in the development of the medical- and health systems especially at the European level
- Handling of medical, educational, training and research issues in regard to health and medicines
- Cooperation with other doctors and health-organizations
- Safeguarding the legal status of Anthroposophic Medicine
- Coordination of the national doctors associations
Besides by general practitioners, Anthroposophic Medicine is practised in hospitals, clinics and other in-patients’ facilities with about of 2.200 beds in Brasil, Austria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, including teaching hospitals as well as district general hospitals. Several clinics have recently been classified as “Baby-Friendly Hospital” and the Havelhöhe/Berlin Clinic in Germany was recently been classified by patients as one of the best clinics in Germany. Moreover, Anthroposophic Medicine is taught at universities in Austria, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
About Anthroposophic Medicine
Anthroposophic Medicine as an integrative medicine follows a holistic approach with regard to human beings and health. It is part of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
The presence and legal position of Anthroposophic Medicine in the EU member-states varies remarkably between Member states and is still insufficient at the European level.
Dominant themes of Anthroposophic Medicine are self-determination, autonomy, “human dignity” and development of the patient, hereby concentrating on the task to help human beings to help themselves in their development. The stimulation of self-healing processes of the whole body is at the centre of Anthroposophic Medicine. The responsibility of each patient plays a crucial role in the processes of salutogenese and hygiogenese.
This approach – hygiogenetic and/or salutogenetic instead of pathogenetic orientation – has consequences for the therapeutic thinking in Anthroposophic Medicine, especially in chronic diseases.
The background of Anthroposophic Medical Products must be seen on this basis.
Another special feature of Anthroposphic Medical Products is the low rate of side-effects.
Anthroposophic Medicine employs in addition to conventional diagnosis and therapeutic procedures special pharmaceutical and therapeutic approaches including:
- eurythmic therapy
- rhythmic massages
- anthroposophic art therapies
- special anthroposophic nursing techniques
In addition, Anthroposophic Medicine provides counselling on nutrition and lifestyle and takes into account biographic and social aspects of illness.
The eighty years of practice of Anthroposophic Medicine in Europe has been established in general practice and in clinical settings. Particular expertise in Anthroposophic medicine has been developed in the fields of:
- allergic diseases
- chronic diseases
- care for people with learning difficulties
- treatment of the diseases of childhood
- geriatric diseases
- lifestyle counselling especial for young people in close cooperation with schools
Further perspectives
It is the intention of IVAA to draw on these experiences and to use them to improve the health not only of individual beings but for the betterment of health in our societies at the national as well as at the European level. Since several years IVAA started a pro-active engagement in the EU health policy, contribution so far mainly Commissions consultations. But IVAA feels time has come to proof seriously and in detail, whether an engagement in the EU Health Action Programme is possible, preferable together with the other European doctors´CAM organizations.
