Cancer does not only affect the body; it can also impact many areas of life. Alongside receiving the best possible oncological treatment, questions often arise regarding diet, exercise, sleep, stress, fatigue, complementary therapies, dietary supplements or how to cope with the illness on a personal level.

The Department of Integrative Medicine at Ulm University Hospital offers two interlinked counselling services for patients and their families:
– the medically supervised integrative oncology consultation (IOS)
– the interprofessional counselling service for complementary medicine and naturopathy in cancer care (CCCI)

Both services aim to provide patients with personalised advice based on the latest scientific evidence, to strengthen their sense of self-efficacy and to support them in making decisions regarding their condition. Questions about specific complementary treatments, such as mistletoe therapy, can also be discussed openly and assessed together on the basis of available scientific evidence.

An important aspect of both services is patient safety. Not every naturopathic or complementary medicine treatment is suitable for every patient. Interactions with cancer drugs and treatments can occur, particularly with herbal medicines and dietary supplements. Potential risks are therefore taken into account during the consultation.
Both services are intended to complement the necessary oncological treatment and not to replace it.
The consultations are supported by scientific expertise.

The Integrative Oncology Consultation (IOS) is a medically supervised service that has been running at Ulm University Hospital since 2016. It focuses on each patient’s individual situation. In addition to the cancer and its treatment, personal resources, lifestyle and living circumstances can be taken into account. Together, a personalised, patient-centred treatment and support plan is developed. Depending on your needs, the consultation can take place in person, by telephone or via video conference.

Costs: The IOS is an individual medical consultation service and is offered as a self-pay service (Individual Health Service, IGeL). The costs are generally not covered by statutory health insurance. For those with private health insurance or existing private supplementary insurance, coverage or reimbursement may be possible. We recommend clarifying this directly with your insurance provider before your appointment.

Interprofessional counselling is provided jointly by medical and nursing staff. It is aimed at patients who are suffering from side effects or after-effects of cancer treatment, who have specific questions about complementary and naturopathic therapies, and who are seeking scientifically sound guidance. Two to three in-depth counselling sessions are provided. The first session should, where possible, take place in person. Further sessions may also be held by telephone or video conference, as required.

Costs: The interprofessional counselling service is free of charge for adult cancer patients insured with AOK Baden-Württemberg under an existing selective contract. Participation is subject to the relevant contractual conditions. We would be happy to advise you on whether you are eligible for the service. For patients who are not insured with AOK Baden-Württemberg, the counselling is offered as a self-pay service (Individual Health Service, IGeL) . Costs may be covered by private health or supplementary insurance in some cases and should be clarified in advance with the relevant insurer.