Anthroposophic medicine is medicine, which is extended - or supplemented - by the ideas of anthroposophy.
The aim of medicine in general is to prevent disease and promote health, whatever the definition of health and disease may be.
To prevent disease and promote restore health is also the aim of anthroposophic medicine. In addition to the tools used in conventional medicine anthroposophic medicine provides further therapeutic modalities, developed from the outlook of anthroposophy.
These additional tools include treatment with medicines, but also various art therapies like painting and sculpture therapy, music, singing and speech therapy, physiotherapy and massage, psychotherapy, curative education and social therapy - and eurythmy therapy, where special body movements are used for therapeutic purposes.
Anthroposophy can be regarded as a tool for advancing our understanding of the human being taking into account that the human being
- has a body, soul and spirit.
- is related to the surrounding world
- has a biography
- is a social being
- has the possibility for continuous development
Out of these aspects anthroposophy has consequences for medical thinking - both in diagnosis and therapy.
Probably the best known application of anthroposophy in society related to medicine is the work with people with learning disabilities all over Europe. Here the anthroposophic approach aims to see beyond learning difficulties to the individual with his full human dignity, rather than focusing solely on particular disabilities. This special approach towards these people is known as curative education and social therapy, and has become famous all over the world.
Anthroposophy was developed by the Austrian doctor of philosophy and scientist Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Together with the Dutch physician Dr Ita Wegman MD (1876-1943) Rudolf Steiner lay the foundations of anthroposophic medicine. In 1921 the first anthroposophic hospital was founded in Arlesheim, Switzerland. Close to the hospital a pharmaceutical laboratory was established for professional pharmaceutical manufacturing of the anthroposophic medical products, which the anthroposophic doctors needed for the treatment of their patients.
Today there are about 4,800 trained anthroposophic doctors, who are members of national associations of anthroposophic doctors which come under the umbrella of the IVAA.
Based on the number of prescriptions it has been estimated, that anthroposophic medicinal products are prescribed by more than 30,000 physicians in 21 of the 27 EU member states, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, and some 65 countries worldwide.
Anthroposophic medicine is integrated in general and specialised public healthcare in several countries and is used in the context of all illnesses, for both minor and major indications. Anthroposophic hospitals include:
- university teaching hospitals
- other hospitals integrated into public basic health care and emergency care
- departments for anthroposophic medicine in public hospitals
- clinics for special disorders.
Anthroposophic medicine is increasingly recognised in the academic world and taught at medical schools in several EU Member states. Teaching is integrated into the basic medical education, part of special courses or provided in singular courses.
There are several research centres for anthroposophic medicine in Germany, Holland and Switzerland. The Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, Bern, Switzerland also provides a professorship for anthroposophic medicine.
High quality of anthroposophic professionals is achieved through guidelines for training and practice for anthroposophic physicians.
In addition to the basic training at medical schools the special training in anthroposophic medicine consists of theoretical courses for 2-3 years, followed by periods of mentorship within institutions authorized by the national doctors associations, and case presentations.
The international community of anthroposophic physicians has agreed on minimal requirements for high standard medical services summarized in “Guidelines for Good Professional Practice in Anthroposophic Medicine”.
Conclusions:
Anthroposophic medicine offers the citizens of Europe:
- a highly individualized approach to the patient, which puts symptoms or illness in the context of the body-soul-mind constellation within the social and biographical situation.
- a western integrative medical system, which is thoroughly founded on modern medical diagnostics and treatments.
- additional medical treatments in all field of medicine including intensive care medicine
- special tools in the treatment of chronic and long-term diseases
- additional approaches for the treatment and rehabilitation for those with learning difficulties and mental illness.
Anthroposophic medicine educates the patient:
- to take the initiative in relation to their own health
- to participate actively in the healing process.
- to develop a healthy lifestyle
- to facilitate continuous self development
