The Clinic for Integrative Medicine in Essen, Germany

In integrative medicine (IM) the basic concept is the combination of mainstream with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) supposedly leading to synergistic therapeutic effects. In an extended version the methods of Mind/Body Medicine (MBM) are also added. A recent survey screening the German population concerning their preferences for cam, mainstream medicine or combining both of them (IM) showed that most Germans were in favour of integrative medicine. This shows the development of a new understanding of medicine in Germany.

In 1999 the first hospital for Internal and Integrative Medicine with 54 beds was established at the Teaching Hospital Kliniken Essen-Mitte as a model institution of the county North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. In October 2004, after a 5-year period of scientific evaluation by the university board, the first German Chair for Complementary and Integrative Medicine was founded by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen and Halbach-Foundation at the University Clinic Duisburg-Essen. In this model institution Western trained doctors specialized in CAM as well as mind–body instructors offering Mind–Body Medicine (MBM) are working together. Besides the task of teaching students the Chair and institution is focussing on clinical and basic research on Traditional European and Chinese Medicine as well as Mind–Body Medicine. Besides that an intensive program evaluating the outcome of more than 2500 patients, who have been treated during the past 5 years has been established. The stay in the hospital is paid by all German insurance companies for patients.

In the talk the concept of Integrative Medicine in a regular hospital setting combining Complementary Medicine and Mainstream Medicine will be introduced. Indications and expected benefits, for in-patients, day-care in-patients and out-patients will be discussed.