Teaching
From experiences to evidence-based medicine
Teaching is a core pillar of our work and a key contribution to sustainable and responsible healthcare. Through interdisciplinary, research-informed, and practice-oriented education, we support medical students and healthcare professionals in developing a critical understanding of evidence-based medicine, health systems, and patient-centered care.
Within the Q12 module “Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine, and Complementary Treatments,” we offer a broad and diverse teaching portfolio with a focus on complementary and integrative medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte. In addition to lectures on topics such as Traditional European Medicine (TEM), mind-body medicine, nutrition, Traditional Chinese and Indian Medicine TCM/TIM), and medical rehabilitation, students gain hands-on experience through practice-oriented seminars. These include mindfulness-based stress reduction, whole-food planetary nutrition strategies (teaching kitchens), and complementary self-care approaches such as cupping, acupressure/acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.
The aim is to provide a scientifically grounded introduction to integrative medical therapies and to equip future physicians with the skills to critically appraise these approaches and make evidence-based decisions. This includes integrating the best available external evidence from clinical studies with individual patient preferences and clinical expertise, in line with the definition of evidence-based medicine proposed by D.L. Sackett.
You will find further information in OpenCampus.
Are you interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the fields of prevention, mind-body medicine, nutrition, or planetary health – and do you bring scientific curiosity, analytical thinking, and a strong interest in health-related topics? Within our team, we offer modern research approaches in an interdisciplinary environment, ranging from behavioral and structural research on prevention to clinical studies on the effects and safety of traditional and integrative medical approaches, as well as systemic interconnections between individual and planetary health. We encourage independent scientific work while providing close academic supervision and support.
Open doctoral projects:
- Complementary self-help strategies to enhance health literacy among dementia caregivers: a randomized controlled trial (CALM)
- Mind-Body-Medicine and healthy nutrition to enhance health literacy in hospital employees: a randomized controlled trial (SOULFOOD)
- Postoperative foot massage in cancer inpatients: A qualitative study on patient experiences with supportive cancer therapies (PODOCARE)
- Emotional release in traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies (RELEASE)
Sound interesting?
We welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in medicine, psychology, health sciences, and related disciplines who are seeking to pursue a Dr. med. or Dr. rer. medic. degree. Please apply by email with your CV and a brief outline of your research interests. We are happy to discuss together whether a doctoral project within our team would be a good fit. Further information on doctoral regulations at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, can be found on the website of the Doctoral Affairs Office.
The doctoral colloquium on qualitative research methods offers doctoral candidates a structured platform for reflection, discussion, and further development of their research projects. The focus lies on methodological questions, theoretical frameworks, and the practical implementation of qualitative approaches in health research. The aim of the colloquium is to foster methodological rigor, strengthen interdisciplinary exchange, and support doctoral candidates throughout the different phases of the doctoral process – from the development of research questions and data collection and analysis to the presentation and publication of results.
The colloquium is open to all doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Duisburg-Essen whose doctoral projects employ qualitative or mixed-methods designs. It thrives on open, collegial exchange in a respectful and supportive atmosphere. The colloquium takes place at regular intervals at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, Goethestraße 102 in Essen. Registration is required. Further information is available by email.
The Chair of Complementary & Integrative Medicine of the University of Duisburg-Essen – in cooperation with the Erich Rothenfußer Academy – offers a diverse continuing education program for physicians, therapists, healthcare professionals, and interested patients.
In addition to the Zusatzbezeichnung Naturheilverfahren accredited by the Medical Association of North Rhine, the program includes practice-oriented and scientifically grounded training courses in mind-body medicine and in integrative oncology. Moreover, the Patient Academy provides free information events and online seminars aimed at strengthening health literacy.
As part of the Education Academy of University Medicine Essen, we offer targeted continuing education programs for UME staff. These workshops provide practical complementary self-care strategies to support individual health literacy and self-care. Key topics include coping with chronic pain, sleep disturbances and fatigue, as well as healthy nutrition for shift work. The program is complemented by sessions focused on resilience-building and stress management based on mind-body medicine.
The courses are designed as compact workshops and are offered either directly in the workplace, at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, or in digital formats – tailored to the needs of participants. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us by email. Current courses can be booked via the Education Academy’s learning management system.