The Contribution of Anthroposophic Medicine to Self-Management: An Exploration of Concepts, Evidence, and Patient Perspectives

Abstract

Background: In Western healthcare policies, promotion of self-management of patients is an important topic. Currently, there is also a worldwide interest in the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine into integrative medicine. This article explores the contribution of anthroposophic medicine (AM) to the promotion of self-management of patients. Material and Methods: The scientific literature on concepts of, evidence on and experiences of patients with AM was explored. Results: The AM approach contributes to: (1) a patient-centered, collaborative promotion of patient self-management by means of application of basic values (equivalence, servitude, and presence of mind) and specific methods; (2) a better coping with health-related issues by providing a spiritual worldview that serves as a coping strategy; by treating patients in such a way that they (further) develop self-regulating functioning, both on the physiological and the psychosocial level, thus enabling the self-management of disease-related symptoms; and by treating with (non-verbal) therapies that improve emotion-focused coping skills; and (3) a better self-monitoring of: one's own activity during treatment and in dealing with treatment- and health-related issues, and the physiological and/or psychological responses to these (self-reflection) activities. Conclusion: AM provides specific contributions to promoting self-management of patients.

First Steps in the Development of an Expertise-Based Anthroposophic Complex Intervention for Oncological Treatment in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study

“…First, these therapies improve, among others, vitality, and enhance self-regulation, which is generally important for patients. 28 In a disease-specific way specific therapies, like for example mistletoe therapy, 51 strengthen and support the self-healing abilities of the organism. The AM health promotion treatments can be applied in the acute, treatment, chronic, and palliative phases of treatment (see Appendix 1).…”

“…25,26 One of the most explicit examples of CIM in the Netherlands is anthroposophic medicine (AM). [27][28][29] AM has a history of 100 years of integration of conventional medicine with anthroposophic diagnostics and treatments/therapies such as anthroposophic medication, external embrocation, rhythmic massage, eurythmy therapy, and anthroposophic art therapy. 27,30 AM is a whole medical system approach, which means that the focus is on the patient in his or her whole complexity, including physical, mental, spiritual, and social factors.…”

Future Teachers’ Spiritual Worldview Formation Factors

“…Walton [46] argued that a secular spiritual worldview creates harmony between science, spirituality, and our conscious experiences. Baars et al [47] believed that a spiritual worldview serves as a strategy for survival.…”

How to Become an Agent of One's Own Healing Processes: Self-Management for Chronically Ill Patients in Integrative Health Care

“…A learning cycle between therapists and patients is described as the central element in this curriculum to support SM. 6) Baars et al [24] demonstrate the specific contributions of anthroposophic health care to the promotion of SM of patients, using results from a patient inquiry related to self-activation.…”