Integrative paediatrics: a Dutch experience

Abstract

Background In 2003 a paediatric integrative medicine (IM) clinic was established in the Slotervaart Hospital, the Netherlands. The clinic provides advice and treatment to inpatient and outpatient children, using a shared‐care model with complementary therapists. The clinic also provides a limited range of evidence‐based complementary modalities for inpatient children, aimed at decreasing pain, fear and stress. Objective To describe the successful integration of CAM and IM within a paediatric department of a Dutch teaching hospital. Materials and methods The clinic was set up through the special interest of the head of the paediatric department, with support from fellow paediatricians, medical specialists, nurses, other staff and hospital board members. A shared‐care model with complementary therapists was developed for the outpatient population. Results The clinic is currently run by paediatricians trained in several complementary modalities, and a group of carefully selected and licensed naturopaths, Ayurvedic practitioners, hypnotherapists, massage therapists, homeopaths, osteopaths, acupuncturists and integrative psychology counsellors. There is close collaboration with the medical librarian who maintains a database of IM literature and provides up‐to‐date evidence‐based literature on specific IM topics. Conclusions The clinic enjoys a special position in the Dutch healthcare system, but faces specific and unique challenges. Recruitment and retention of physicians and nurses, who are both knowledgeable and skilled in IM, is an important goal for the continuation of the clinic. Two areas need to be closely addressed in the near future: financial viability and a regulatory framework for CAM practitioners in collaborative hospital settings.

Integrative Pediatrics: Successful Implementation of Integrative Medicine in a German Hospital Setting—Concept and Realization

“…This leader was responsible for coordinating activities, establishment of contacts, development of next steps, creating questionnaires, communication with other facilities and researchers, networking, and motivation. Leaders from other pediatric integrative medicine programs were contacted and literature was reviewed for advice and ideas on how to successfully establish integrative medicine within a hospital [ 18 , 19 , 21 ].…”

“…Teaching programs for physicians and residents have been developed to increase their knowledge about and widen their spectrum of CAM treatments [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Many institutions have implemented integrative medicine in various models, even in hospitals [ 1 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Some of them have identified important factors and strategies that are vital for successful implementation [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Many institutions have implemented integrative medicine in various models, even in hospitals [ 1 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Some of them have identified important factors and strategies that are vital for successful implementation [ 18 , 19 ]. Yet, CAM has not been widely systematically institutionalized in pediatric care in Germany so far—in hospitals or private practice.…”

The History of Inpatient Care in German Departments Focussing on Natural Healing

“…Some other naturopathic departments, for example, Hufeland hospital in Bad Ems and Kneipp'sche Kliniken in Bad Wörishofen [44], are developing all over Germany and neighbouring countries, for example, Slotervaart hospital, department of pediatrics, in Amsterdam [45]. …”

Integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture for inpatients: Three years experience in the first hospital for Integrated Medicine in Italy

“…Starting in the ‘90s the concept of combining orthodox or conventional medicine and CAM when treating patients within the health service, (integrative medicine or integrated medicine and Integrative Health Care) has spread throughout the western world, and this collaboration has taken place in various forms according to, in primis, the culture and governing body of the country where it has been developed. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”