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Anthroposophic medicine in pediatric primary care: a prospective, multicenter observational study on prescribing
Elke Jeschke1, Thomas Ostermann, Manuela Tabali
1Havelhoehe Research Institute, Berlin, Germany. ejeschke@havelhoehe.de
Insights
Anthroposophic medicine is integrated into pediatric primary care, with anthroposophic remedies frequently prescribed for common childhood conditions like respiratory and ear infections. This study highlights the combined use of conventional and anthroposophic treatments in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Anthroposophic Medicine
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Background:
- Anthroposophic medicine has a long history of treating children, yet systematic analysis in pediatric primary care is lacking.
- This study addresses this gap by describing diagnoses and therapies in everyday anthroposophic practice for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze the spectrum of diagnoses and therapies used in pediatric primary care within anthroposophic medicine.
- To understand prescribing patterns of anthroposophic remedies in children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter observational study involving 38 primary care physicians in Germany.
- Data collection included prescriptions and diagnoses for consecutive pediatric patients.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with anthroposophic prescriptions.
Main Results:
- In 2005, 57,893 prescriptions were issued for 18,440 children under 12.
- Anthroposophic remedies constituted 41.8% of all prescribed medications, often combined with conventional treatments.
- Prescriptions were most frequent for conjunctiva disorders, otitis media, and respiratory infections; likelihood decreased with age and was lower with pediatricians.
Conclusions:
- This is the first systematic overview of everyday anthroposophic medical practice in pediatric primary care.
- Practitioners demonstrate an integrative approach, combining conventional and anthroposophic treatments.
- Findings provide insight into the practical application of anthroposophic medicine in childhood.
Background:
Although the treatment of children has been a core domain ofanthroposophic medicine since its inception, a systematic analysis of anthroposophic therapies in pediatric primary care is still lacking. This study describes the spectrum of diagnoses and therapies observed in children treated in everyday anthroposophic practice.
Methods:
Thirty-eight primary care physicians in Germany participated in this prospective, multicenter observational study on prescribing patterns. Prescriptions and diagnoses were reported for each consecutive patient. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with anthroposophic prescriptions.
Results:
In 2005, a total of 57 893 prescriptions for 18 440 children under 12 years of age (48.1% female) were issued. In total, 50.3% of the prescriptions were classified as CAM remedies alone, 22.6% as conventional pharmaceuticals alone, and 27.1% as a combination of both. Anthroposophic remedies accounted for 41.8% of all medications prescribed. The odds ratio (OR) for receiving an anthroposophic remedy was significantly higher for the first consultation (OR= 1.19; confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.23). Anthroposophic remedies were prescribed most frequently for disorders of the conjunctiva (OR = 2.47; CI: 2.27-2.70), otitis media (OR = 1.50; CI: 1.43-1.59), acute upper respiratory tract infections (OR= 1.28; CI: 1.23-1.33), other respiratory diseases (OR= 1.15; CI: 1.07-1.24), digestive system and abdominal symptoms (OR= 1.39; CI: 1.28-1.51), general symptoms and signs (OR= 1.25; CI: 1.16-1.36), .and pneumonia (OR= 1.36; CI: 1.25-1.49). The likelihood of being prescribed an anthroposophic remedy decreased with patient age (OR= 0.96; CI: 0.95-0.96) and was lower in patients treated by a pediatrician (OR= 0.43; CI: 0.42-0.44). Of the 2475 therapeutic procedures prescribed (29% anthroposophic), the most frequent were physiotherapy, speech therapy, ergotherapy, and logopedics.
Conclusion:
The present study is the first to provide a systematic overview of everyday anthroposophic medical practice in primary care for children. The findings show that practitioners of anthroposophic medicine take an integrative approach by combining conventional and anthroposophic treatments.
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