IVAA Calls for a Patient-centred EU Health Data Space

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The International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations (IVAA) took part in the public consultation on the EU Health Data Space (EHDS), urging for a strong patient-centred approach and human dimension of healthcare. IVAA believes that this initiative can improve efficiency and efficacy of healthcare and health research across the EU.  

Citizen’s rights in the area of health are of paramount importance, notably in controlling and accessing their data, making sure it is used for better prevention strategies and health promotion, improving delivery and cost effectiveness of healthcare, including in independent public research and cross-border instances. The access to these data by for-profit private stakeholders should be carefully regulated by an EU legal framework.  

Anthroposophic physicians integrate conventional and Anthroposophic Medicine. As fully trained medical doctors, they are embedded in the national health systems, with many of them contributing the health research in national, European and international projects. Any improvement in the data collection mechanisms will put forward the basis for better outcomes of national health systems and provide wider availability of information for research. Anthoposophic Medicine, as other integrative methods, is evidence-based and the EU should ensure that approaches, such as Anthroposophic Medicine, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine, are included in any data collection initiative, in order to better assess their contribution to the improvement of health outcomes in the EU.

A holistic and individual approach is fundamental to improving and maintaining the health of citizens, instead of approaches based on protocols that tend to homogenise treatments.  

Lastly, the EU should guarantee that the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems will be accompanied by initiatives that maintain and strengthen the human dimension of healthcare. The ethical dimension of the EHDS and the use of AI must be carefully taken into consideration to ensure that the enhanced use of technology is accompanied by an in-depth reflection of its societal impact. 


About IVAA: 

The IVAA, or International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations, promotes the recognition of Anthroposophic Medicine and its implementation in health care systems. Our vision is a world where the benefits of anthroposophic medicine are widely recognised, and where patients and doctors have ready access to complementary anthroposophic medicines and treatments that improve healthcare outcomes.