Table 3 Similarities and differences of concepts towards classical childhood diseases - results from the interviewed physicians
Physicians practicing … | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Conventional medicine | Homeopathic medicine | Anthroposophic medicine | |
Similarities: | |||
Meaning of infectious diseases | Maturation of immune system | ||
Fever | Important and useful reaction of the immune system Parents: insecurity and fears concerning fever | ||
Vaccination | All physicians offered vaccinations to the families | ||
Differences: | |||
Importance of infectious childhood diseases and perception of risk | Too many risks/ complications, trivial infectious disease are sufficient | Acceptance of the natural course of all diseases | Important role in the maturation of the child’s development and maturation of the immune system |
Consultation concerning vaccinations | Followed the official German vaccination recommendations (except varicella) | Modified recommendation scheme, later and individualized, adjusted to the parents´ wishes | Modified recommendation scheme, later and individualized, adjusted to the parents´ wishes |
Fever | Physical fight against disease | Fever as a possible long-term protective factor against chronic diseases | Fever as an activity of the child’s personality and a possible long-term protective factor against chronic diseases |