"Integrative medicine (IM) focuses on the doctor-patient relationship, is informed by evidence and incorporates all available therapeutic options in order to follow the best possible individualised path to promote health, taking into account the patient's wishes and values. The art and science of healing are given equal consideration. IM is based on a social and democratic as well as natural and healthy environment." (Consortium Integrative Medicine, USA 2004 and T. Esch & B. Brinkhaus 2020)

Although the majority of all patients and 80% of all cancer patients are interested in integrative medicine or use it, only half of these patients talk to their doctor about this need or their parallel applications. There are two elementary needs in people: Patients want to benefit from the achievements of modern medicine. At the same time, there is a desire to be treated holistically, taking into account the forces of nature as well as the spiritual dimension. This leads to a "being torn" between the two worlds - at least as long as there are only a few institutions that bridge this gap.

In Europe, universities are key drivers of medical developments. Therefore, university medicine should also dedicate itself to this task and its solution in this area.

Our aim is to establish an evidence-based integrative medicine at the university clinic that scientifically supports the patients' desire to be treated holistically, taking into account the forces of nature as well as the spiritual dimension, and to methodically accompany the expertise in traditional medicine available in the country in the development of quality-assured integrative medical treatment recommendations (KIM-BW).

Patient-centred, evidence-based approach: The primary approach for us is patient values and their needs (patient value). These are brought together with the scientific study situation - in the case of patients with cancer, for example, through the tumour board decision - (external evidence) and with the expertise that has traditionally grown (internal evidence). The result is an evidence-based, patient-centred therapeutic approach.

This foundation-funded pilot project aims to establish therapy modules and concepts for selected clinical pictures.

Financing/funding:
The project is generously funded by the Software AG Foundation (SAGST, Darmstadt), the Mahle Foundation (Stuttgart) and the dm-Werner Foundation (Karlsruhe). Other sponsors include the Karl and Veronica Carstens Foundation (Essen) and the Steffen Lohrer Foundation (Heidelberg).