Client experiences with an integrated conventional and anthroposophic approach at the "Kindertherapeuticum" in Zeist

Background:The Kindertherapeuticum is a private anthroposophic healthcare institution for the diagnostic evaluation and therapy of three streams of children (paediatrics, child psychiatry and developmental problems). Methods: In 2000,2005 and 2009 a questionnaire was sent to all clients (parents of children, physicians and therapists) investigating client characteristics, experiences with diagnostics and treatment, subjectively experienced effects and the quality of the organisation. Results: Average response: 54%. Client characteristics: children comingfrom the region (43%),from the rest of the Netherlands (55%) and other countries (2 %); age categories children: 0-7 (50 %), 8-11 (35 %), 12-20 (15 %); type of problems: psychiatric, psychosomatic or pedagogic (2/3), somatic (1/3). Most parents emphatically choose for an anthroposophic approach (88 %). An increasing number of parents (an estimated 30 %) come from a non-anthroposophic physician. Most parents, physicians and therapists are (very) satisfied with the diagnostics, treatment and the quality of organisation. Judgments of parents on the effects (more than 2/3), reduction in the use of care after visiting the Kindertherapeuticum, and a reduction of the use of conventional medication (an average of 20%) indicate positive effects. Conclusion: Clients are (very) satisfied with the diagnostics, treatment and organisation quality.There are some indications for positive effects of the approach.