Anthroposophic health care – different and home‐like

Abstract

Anthroposophic health care is rooted in the work of Steiner and Wegman in Switzerland during the 1920s. The Swedish hospital in this study offers integrated conventional and anthroposophic health care therapies which are conceptualized as an extended and integrative variant of health care and not as CAM. In anthroposophic care, health is viewed as a matter of body, soul and spirit in balance. Therapeutic resources include nursing care, therapeutic conduct (art and body therapies) and medicines based on natural remedies. This study aims to deepen the understanding of what constitutes good care from a patient's perspective to alleviate patients' suffering and to identify clinical markers for good care. As anthroposophic care is associated with theory and holistic ideas, this study aims at exploring whether or not anthroposophic care has a beneficial effect. A qualitative method was used, and the analysis was conducted with a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Sixteen former patients, of whom nine were diagnosed with various kinds of cancer and seven with burnout syndrome, were interviewed regarding their experience of anthroposophic care. Patients especially noted the benefits of the holistic caring environment; the empathetic approach and true caring offered, as well as the peaceful atmosphere and rest. A turning point or shift in perspectives, implying a home coming in relation to inner aspects was discussed as an outcome. Although patients in general were overwhelmingly impressed and positive they were also ambivalent. One interpretation is that there is a gap between the anthroposophic and conventional paradigm that affects patients negatively. As mutual scepticism still prevents any real integration between integrative and conventional care, the onus appears to be on the patient to take the risk and act as bridge-builder. From a caring science perspective, the study shows that appropriation of specific values and theory makes it possible to create a true caring culture.

Cost Analysis of Integrative Inpatient Treatment Based on DRG Data: The Example of Anthroposophic Medicine

“…One of the approaches which fits this definition is anthroposophic medicine (AM) established in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman along with some other doctors [2]. In the last decades, AM has developed to become one of the main representatives of integrative medicine in Germany and is currently practised in over 60 countries [3].…”

Ecological caring—Revisiting the original ideas of caring science

“…Anthroposophic care integrates theory and practice of modern medicine with nature-based treatments and a humanistic view of humans, health and care (Arman, Ranheim, Rehnsfeldt, & Wode, 2008; Kienle et al, 2013). This form of care represents an integrative system, an extension of conventional medicine incorporating a holistic approach to illness and healing.…”

“…Emerging from the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, anthroposophic medicine consists of three pillars: nursing care, therapeutic treatment and medical treatment (Arman et al, 2008; Therklesson, 2005). Anthroposophic therapy treatment is individualized by a physician and could include conventional medication accompanied by any of the following complementary therapies: natural remedies (herbs, plant extracts, essential oils and natural substances), therapeutic baths, external compresses and rhythmical body oiling, artistic therapies (clay modelling, painting, music therapy and therapeutic song), therapeutic eurhythmy (movement therapy), rhythmical massage (a light-touch massage), psychological and biographical counselling and anthroposophic nursing care.…”

“…Arman et al, 2008; Fjelland & Gjengedal, 2008; Norlyk, Martinsen, Hall & Haahr, 2016; Van Wijngaarden, Leget & Goossensen, 2015, 2016), patients have a desire to be seen and recognized as individuals in their personal context. They certainly do not want to be reduced to diagnoses, symptoms or to other parts of their being, but they need tools to address the disconnectedness caused by illness (cf.…”

Facilitating Self-Healing in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy

“…Second, it brings together the disciplines of psychotherapy and CAM in interdisciplinary CAM therapeutics [12], thereby building on holistic spiritual principles which see body, soul and spirit as an integrated and deeply entwined whole [12,15]. In this case study, a variety of interventions for psychological problems including psychotherapy, anthroposophic medicine, massage, hydrotherapy and various artistic therapies is used [15,16,17,18]. …”