Anthropolgy is the science of humans; especially : the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture (Merriam-Webster).
Medical anthropolgy starts with two insights: (1) cultural premises, which are oftentimes implicit and difficult for the insider to recognize, shape the health-related knowledge and healing practices of every society; and (2) disease patterns, social norms, and socioeconomic arrangements are intricately interrelated (Joralemon 2010: 11).
Medical anthropolgy starts with two insights: (1) cultural premises, which are oftentimes implicit and difficult for the insider to recognize, shape the health-related knowledge and healing practices of every society; and (2) disease patterns, social norms, and socioeconomic arrangements are intricately interrelated (Joralemon 2010: 11).
fine line between treating medical conditions and treating the soulFor example, in Hmong culture, shamans are oftentimes called upon during times of illness to treat the soul. Traditional western medical interventions are commonly used in conjunction with the shamans interventions. The link below will take you to an article depecting the use of medicine to treat a diabetic, hypertensive patient and the role the shaman plays in spiritual healing.
|
cultural differences between patient and medical staffCulture is a means in which a group of people identify with one another in the form of a set of beliefs, common practices, and when looking at medical anthropology, a reaction to diseases and treatments. According to Davies, H.T.O. (2009), culture can be definied as "something that an organisation has: aspects or variables of the organisation that can be isolated, described, and manipulated."
When a patient of Hmong culture, for example, is being treated by a team of Americans it is clear from reading the article, A Doctor for Disease, A Shaman for the Soul, how a lack of cultural competence can result in substandard level of care. Researching the cultural background of the patient and having a dialogue discussing cultural beliefs that need to be considered during medical treatment can help to break this barrier. Culture is not stagnantCultural processes are seen in psychophysiological reactions, the development of interpersonal attachments, religious practices, common-sense interpretations, and the cultivation of collective and individual identity. Cultural processes frequently differ within the same ethnic or social group because of differences in age cohort, gender, political association, class, religion, ethnicity, and even personality. Everyone is unique in the sense that individuals may choose to practice parts of a culture but not every aspect of that particular culture. The key to cultural competency is having an awareness of this fact and looking at each person as an individual.
|