This website will give the reader an understanding of Medical Anthropology and the subfields of Applied Medical
Anthropology and Critical Medical Anthropology. Cultural Competency, within the context of health care, will be addressed. Along with a synopsis of the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down; A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman (1997) we will determine if medical anthropology and/or cultural competency was employed in the care of the Hmong child. Videos and photos are utilized to augment the information presented.
Anthropology and Critical Medical Anthropology. Cultural Competency, within the context of health care, will be addressed. Along with a synopsis of the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down; A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman (1997) we will determine if medical anthropology and/or cultural competency was employed in the care of the Hmong child. Videos and photos are utilized to augment the information presented.
What is Medical Anthropology?
Medical
anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that studies health, sickness,
medicine and the treatment of illnesses with a primary focus on cultural
beliefs and practices, access to health services and socioeconomic
factors. The emergence of this field of
anthropology was due to cultural obstacles the international community was
presented with while attempting to eradicate epidemic diseases and improve
sanitary conditions of poor countries (Joralemon 2010:9). Medical anthropologists immerse themselves
into learning the beliefs and rituals of specific communities; thereby they
gain an insight as to how best to approach the individual/community with medical
assistance.
Noted medical anthropologist and general practitioner Cecil Helman stated “Medical anthropology is about how people in different cultures and social groups explain the causes of ill health, the types of treatment they believe in, and to whom they turn if they do get ill”(Helman 1994:1).
Applied medical anthropology is involved in the intervention, prevention, policy issues and analyzing the socioeconomic factors that influence access to care.
Critical medical anthropology focuses on the political economy of health and health care.
Cultural Competence is the demonstrated awareness and integration health-related beliefs and cultural values.
AnneFadiman’s book “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” highlights the cultural differences between Western medicine and Hmong ritual healing as played out in the care of Lia Lee, a child with epilepsy. The book lends itself to the discussion of medical anthropology and cultural competence within the medical community.
Medical anthropology draws upon the expertise of the major fields of anthropology as well as medicine, public health, philosophy, environmental science and sociology.
-sit back and enjoy this short video taking you through the world of anthropology-
(enlarge the screen for optimal viewing!)
Noted medical anthropologist and general practitioner Cecil Helman stated “Medical anthropology is about how people in different cultures and social groups explain the causes of ill health, the types of treatment they believe in, and to whom they turn if they do get ill”(Helman 1994:1).
Applied medical anthropology is involved in the intervention, prevention, policy issues and analyzing the socioeconomic factors that influence access to care.
Critical medical anthropology focuses on the political economy of health and health care.
Cultural Competence is the demonstrated awareness and integration health-related beliefs and cultural values.
AnneFadiman’s book “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” highlights the cultural differences between Western medicine and Hmong ritual healing as played out in the care of Lia Lee, a child with epilepsy. The book lends itself to the discussion of medical anthropology and cultural competence within the medical community.
Medical anthropology draws upon the expertise of the major fields of anthropology as well as medicine, public health, philosophy, environmental science and sociology.
-sit back and enjoy this short video taking you through the world of anthropology-
(enlarge the screen for optimal viewing!)
Cultural Anthropology. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2GWjz6Aak