IM project in Máxima Medical Center
Positive health
Rehabilitation in hospitals often focuses on patients' physical recovery and behavioural change. Less attention is paid to factors such as mental well-being and ways to lead a meaningful life with an illness. Complementary care, such as mindfulness training, yoga or acupuncture, may offer additional possibilities for patients to self-manage their recovery and increase their resilience. This approach is in line with the new concept of positive health.
90% of Dutch hospitals offer Integrative Medicine
A study published in 2015 (in Dutch) shows that 90% of hospitals, mental health centres and nursing homes in the Netherlands provide one or more forms of complementary care. The Máxima Medical Center will be incorporating Integrative Medicine into their new centre for rehabilitation and prevention of chronic illnesses ('Flow'). The number of chronic patients and related healthcare costs keep increasing. Integrative Medicine could contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system and cost-effective, patient-centred treatment programmes.