Holistic view of the individual

Institute for Integrative Medicine (IfIM)

The Institute for Integrative Medicine (IfIM) aims to actively shape the development of modern integrative medicine in research, teaching and care. By "integrative medicine" we mean that the relationship between doctors and patients is of particular importance in treatment. It is about looking at the whole person and not just individual symptoms. This practice is based on scientific knowledge and utilises all possible therapies, healthcare professions and disciplines in order to achieve the best possible treatment success. The individual is considered holistically in its physical, biological, psychological, mental, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions. In the Institute's understanding, integrative medicine is therefore a cross-disciplinary task that combines the established possibilities of modern medicine, including anthroposophical medicine, as well as proven directions of complementary medicine. All medical and psychological approaches can contribute to this.

The members of the institute conduct interdisciplinary research that emphasises the integration of different disciplines. To this end, they cooperate with other departments and partners both within and outside Witten/Herdecke University in joint projects. The research topics are organised in such a way that they deal with overarching themes. IfIM also develops research methods that meet the needs of integrative medicine and healthcare.

The aim of the Interprofessional Research Training Group for Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences (IGIM) is the cross-university interprofessional promotion of young researchers in integrative medicine. The structured supervision of doctoral studies, cooperative doctorates and Master's theses offered here is intended to improve the quality of scientific work in integrative medicine and to establish and coordinate a network of scientists.

Further information on the IGIM programme