We established multidisciplinary working groups in key CARE areas to develop therapeutic approaches for the prevention and therapy of common symptoms and diseases that have so far lacked satisfactory treatment. We included educational concepts because we want practitioners to understand how these approaches enlarge current therapies. Our aim is to contribute to the progress of integrative medicine and to make our findings clear, understandable, easily put into practice and able to be scientifically validated.

This multidisciplinary cooperation of the international working groups is part of a process based on a common methodology:

• Conceptual work on medical topics relevant to care.
• The collection and discussion of best practices in Anthroposophic Medicine, taking into account the best available evidence. The aim is to gain a deeper insight into the respective clinical picture or problem through a broad range of perspectives and the perceptions of people    working in different areas of the medical profession, against the background of our common view of the human being, and to discuss and develop therapeutic procedures.
• The resulting recommendations for medication are based on a compilation of many different physicians’ expertise and experience, the Vademecum of Anthroposophic Medicine (1), clinical study results, and teaching materials of Anthroposophic Medicine. Our recommendations for anthroposophic nursing are offered in accordance with the Vademecum of External Applications. Other therapies such as body therapy, eurythmy therapy, art therapy and psychotherapy are based on individual expertise, recommendations of the professional associations, and currently available studies.
• The therapies specific to each occupation are jointly discussed, compared and further developed against the background of our anthroposophical understanding of illness and the need for therapy.
• Our international and multi-professional working groups can also call on the expertise of external experts. An international scientific advisory board with patient representation is planned.
• The results of the working groups are available online to therapists experienced in Anthroposophic Medicine. Comments collected from colleagues around the world are sent to the CARE groups, where they are then processed and accepted. This is followed by an editorial process with specialist editors and proofreaders.
• After approval of each text by the Editorial Board, the results are published on the internet platform anthromedics.org for independent use by doctors and therapists.
• The published results will be periodically reevaluated and further developed.

Anthroposophic Medicine

Anthroposophic Medicine (2, p.57) is a multidisciplinary, integrative art of healing. Its orientation is towards an understanding of the human being that encompasses not only the body but also the life, soul, and spirit which are associated with the body. Within Anthroposophic Medicine there are established professional groups for:

• physicians
• nurses
• body therapists
• eurythmy therapists
• art therapists
• psychotherapists
• ministers and spiritual advisors

Interdisciplinary groups work together to care for patients in hospitals and outpatient treatment. The different therapeutic disciplines each determine their own respective therapeutic profiles.