Enhance your ability to assist your clients, gain a deeper understanding of the body and psyche.
Western Medicine Fundamentals (WMF) is an accredited medical basic knowledge course for complementary and integrative healthcare professionals in the Netherlands.
Today’s patients combine therapies. They consult general practitioners, specialists, therapists and alternative practitioners. To support them safely and professionally, you must understand how conventional medicine thinks, diagnoses and treats.
WMF builds that bridge.
You learn medical terminology, pathology, pharmacology basics and clinical reasoning. You recognise warning signs. You understand referral logic. And you learn where your professional boundaries lie.
In the Netherlands, sufficient medical basic knowledge is often required for professional recognition and eligibility for reimbursement through health insurance providers. WMF supports you in meeting these standards.
Western Medicine Fundamentals is the English-language version of our renowned Dutch programme Medische Basiskennis. It is widely recognised as the go-to knowledge course for professionals working with the body and health.
This training is ideal for: therapists, coaches, Ayurvedic practitioners, physical therapists, nutritionists, yoga or meditation teachers, lifestyle and sports instructors, and anyone working in or aspiring to work in the healthcare or wellness field.
Whether you’re new to the Dutch healthcare landscape or already working in complementary care, this course bridges the gap between heart and science. It helps you understand how to collaborate with mainstream providers, refer with confidence, and navigate the Dutch system with clarity; ideal for expats or internationally oriented practitioners.
This course offers an essential foundation in medical knowledge: empowering you to understand the human body, communicate with confidence in a clinical context, and provide safe, well-informed care to your clients.
If you want to communicate professionally with physicians, recognise red flags early, and understand how diagnoses are structured in conventional medicine, this programme provides the foundation.
As a therapist or coach, a solid foundation in medical basic knowledge is essential for providing safe, effective, and professional care. The Western Medicine Fundamentals course equips you with practical insights and skills that elevate your work to a higher level:
You gain deep insight into the human body
Learn how physiological systems function and how psychological and physical processes are connected.
You understand the causes, development, and treatment of common medical conditions
From inflammation to chronic illness, you’ll know what lies beneath the symptoms.
You learn to take a professional medical history (anamnesis)
Recognize patterns, ask the right questions, and build a clear clinical picture.
You identify health risks and recognize red flags early
Understand when a referral is needed and ensure client safety at all times.
You speak the language of conventional healthcare
Communicate more effectively with doctors and other healthcare providers, fostering trust and collaboration.
You work within your professional boundaries
Be clear about your role and refer with confidence when necessary — a hallmark of professional integrity.
You understand the structure of the Dutch healthcare system
Navigate it with ease and guide your clients more effectively.
You understand how conventional medicine thinks — and you know how your work connects to it.
Click here to see what old students say about our courses.
Con Amore was founded by healthcare professionals who believe that collaboration between disciplines creates better care
Our lecturers are conventionally trained physicians and psychologists with experience in complementary medicine
During live classes:
• Real-life cases are discussed
• Clinical reasoning is practised
• Anamnesis skills are trained
• Medical logic is explained clearly
The learning environment is structured, academically sound and interactive. Students consistently rate the programme highly.
Rather than building walls between medical systems, we teach you how to navigate both.
Western Medicine Fundamentals offers a comprehensive curriculum structured into four modules
• The Dutch healthcare system
• Integrative medicine
• Medical ethics and legislation
• Professional boundaries
Organ-based study of anatomy, physiology and pathology:
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Nervous system
• Endocrine system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Skin and blood
• Urogenital system
• Basic psychology
• Psychopathology
• DSM-5 classification
• Psychopharmacology
• Communication skills
• Red flag recognition
• Emergency awareness
• Clinical integration
• Case presentations
The programme consists of 12 interactive online course days (from 09:00 to 17:30) via Zoom, combined with structured home study in a guided digital learning environment
Rather than memorising everything, you learn to distinguish core concepts from supporting knowledge — a crucial skill in clinical practice.
This programme totals 1,395 study hours, equivalent to 50 ECTS, and is ideal for therapists, coaches, and care professionals who want to deepen their medical knowledge and enhance their ability to collaborate within the healthcare system.
For full curriculum details and study load, download the study brochure.
WMF follows a blended learning structure
• Guided self-study through structured study questions
• 12 interactive live course days
• Case-based discussions
• Short knowledge tests
• Practical case presentations
The assessment programme is varied and designed in collaboration with educational experts
You graduate after successfully completing knowledge tests and case presentations and meeting attendance requirements.
The diploma is accredited by CPION and SNRO and represents 50 ECTS
This means you study the theory at home — and apply it in class.
Before each course day, you prepare by working through structured study questions in your online learning environment. These questions guide you through the core medical concepts, common conditions and red flags, ensuring you enter the live session with a solid theoretical foundation.
The actual study load varies per student and depends on factors such as prior education, experience and personal capacity. On average, students invest 15 to 25 hours of home study per course day. Since classes take place every three to four weeks over a 10 month trajectory, you can spread this workload across multiple weeks.
The earlier you enrol, the more you can work ahead and distribute the study load comfortably over time.
The 12 interactive course days are focused on application, not passive listening.
During class, you:
• Revisit key concepts
• Work through real-life case studies
• Practise clinical reasoning
• Train structured anamnesis skills
• Learn when and how to refer
Because everyone prepares in advance, class time is used to deepen understanding and connect theory to practice.
This approach ensures that knowledge becomes clinically usable — not just theoretical
You can find a full WMF Course Days Overview in the study brochure.
Students who have enrolled in our Western Medicine Fundamentals programme last year rate the course with a 9,1.
“I highly recommend doing the WMF course with Con Amore. The administrative support is immediate, helpful and friendly. The course content, while considerable and thorough, is structured in such a way that you are never entirely overwhelmed and are able to retain the most important information. Our lecturer is kind, patient, professional and approachable, and provides a comfortable and enjoyable space for learning and discussion.”
– Nanda, training to become a BSR Practitioner, WMF 2021
“The study material is simply amazing, this makes me motivated again to study. I progress in my general understanding of the human body, I can clearly now identify the most important pathologies and increased my medical diagnosis. I am very happy with our teacher, she makes a great job by going to the most important points that we need to focus on. The online study days are well organized: a short break every hour and a lunch break of 1 hour, just perfect. I would say that Con amore succeed to create a solid and appropriated learning environment with great attention for all the participants.”
– Martine Ricard, Shiatsu Practitioner (Shiatsu Point Wassenaar), WMF 2021
For an overview of the reviews for all our courses, click here
Con Amore is a Dutch family-owned and operated educational institute for healthcare professionals, founded in 2010 by Albert & Rinske. Read more about us here. Read our mission and vision statement on this page.
If you are ready to strengthen your medical foundation and position yourself confidently within integrative healthcare, Western Medicine Fundamentals offers the structure and depth you need.
