German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology

The Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital E. Stoeber, L. Sänger: Zur Geschichte der Kinderklinik und Rheumakinderklinik in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 1992{{cite journal | last=Schaller | first=Jane G | title=The History of Pediatric Rheumatology | journal=Pediatric Research | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=58 | issue=5 | year=2005 | issn=0031-3998 | doi=10.1203/01.pdr.0000182823.85717.48 | pages=997–1007| pmid=16183803 | s2cid=6244580 | doi-access=free }} evolved out of a pediatric facility for treating tuberculosis. Dr. Elizabeth Stoeber, the first chief of medicine, was able to use funds from the Marshall Plan to convert the facility to a full pediatric hospital. Initially, mainly patients with rheumatic fever were treated. However, by the end of the decade focus shifted towards patients with Still's disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

File:1 jetziger Prof. Stoeber Weg mit Rheumabau ca. 1965.jpg

With increasing availability of steroids and non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs as well as the addition of facilities for physiotherapy, the 1960s saw the development of a program for the therapy of the often severely impaired and handicapped children. In addition, hospital schooling starting in 1952 was developed into a full hospital school by 1975. Donation from various sources, especially the German branch of the Lions Club allowed significant expansion of the facilities.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lions-bayern-sued.de/hilfe-fuer-das-rheumakranke-kind.html |title=Lions Club - die Rheumaklinik - Hilfe für das rheumakranke Kind e. V. |access-date=2012-11-18 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210852/http://www.lions-bayern-sued.de/hilfe-fuer-das-rheumakranke-kind.html |url-status=dead }} By 1971, a new hospital building was inaugurated, including a gymnasium and exercise pool.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gesundheitsaemter.de/gap/beratung/sozial/da_ju/04_01.htm |title=Sozialarbeit mit Familien rheumakranker Kinder - 4 Möglichkeiten der Sozialarbeit: Hilfe im klinischen Bereich - 4.1 die Kinderklinik Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Rheumaklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche |access-date=2012-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222533/http://www.gesundheitsaemter.de/gap/beratung/sozial/da_ju/04_01.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}

The 1980s saw international recognition of pediatric rheumatology as a subspecialty with increasing competition from outpatient clinics in university hospitals. The Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital continued with a focus on clinical work and physiotherapy.Second Workshop on Physiotherapy in JCA (Garmisch-Partenkirchen), Rheumatology 1993;32(5):425 Modifications to the building created more space for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and balneotherapy. At the same time, social support was improved by obtaining a house nearby providing lodging and other facilities to families of inpatients.

In 2004, the general hospital wing was moved to the newly constructed Garmisch General Hospital. The Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital, renamed the 'German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology', was now the only facility in Europe exclusively dedicated to treating rheumatic diseases in childhood. Starting in 2002, the hospital building was renovated in several stages. As the Inner Mission sold the hospital in 2010, the Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital was taken over by the chief of medicine, Professor J.-P. Haas with the help of private investors.{{cite web | last=Seiler | first=Andreas | title=Kinderklinik: Geordnete Übernahme | website=Merkur.de | date=16 June 2021 | url=https://www.merkur.de/lokales/garmisch-partenkirchen/garmisch-partenkirchen-ort28711/kinderklinik-geordnete-uebernahme-90804818.html | language=de | access-date=7 March 2022}}

File:Kinderrheumaklinik heute.jpg

The Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology treats children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but also systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, scleroderma and other connective tissue disorders. Patients, originating mostly from Germany, but also a significant number of international patients, are mainly treated as inpatients. A smaller part of patients is also treated on an outpatient basis. Children and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes are treated in a specialized ward setting. Also integrated into the hospital are outpatient facilities for pediatric cardiology and developmentally delayed children.

The Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital uses a team-based approach with a multidisciplinary treatment concept.{{cite journal |author=Hafner R, Beisken C |title=Clinical Symptoms in Rheumatoid Pain – Physiotherapeutic Intervention |journal= Akt Rheumatol |volume=29 |pages=133–136 |year=2004 |doi= 10.1055/s-2004-813305 |issue=3}} The basis of this concept is to treat the child or adolescent as individual, using five 'columns': medical therapy, nursing therapy, physical therapy, psychosocial and educational therapy and the hospital school. Using these columns, an individual treatment concept is tailored to the needs of the patient during his stay.

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• [http://www.rheuma-kinderklinik.de Official website of the German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology]

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Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1952

Category:Children's hospitals in Germany

Category:Rheumatology organizations

Category:Medical and health organisations based in Bavaria

Category:Child-related organisations in Germany