"The Culture Broker"
Applied medical anthropology involved the study of a people's healthcare customs, practices and beliefs. This field of study focuses on implementation of healthcare programs in communities, particularly those of ethnic and cultural minorities. These programs help to establish primary care services and establish healthcare facilities to needy populations. Applied medical anthropologists often work for local, state or federal agencies. They assists in the "resolution of healthcare problems" by being directly involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of healthcare projects. Applied medical anthropologists teach medical professional and are consultants for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
Some examples of healthcare projects include:
*The pictures above represent two very different ideas about healthcare.
The picture on the left is a representation of Western medicine. Americans believe in seeking care from healthcare clinics such as hospitals and doctors' offices that are staffed with healthcare professionals. Americans tend to rely on physicians to diagnose and treat illnesses using procedures and medications.
The picture on the right represents the healing practices of the Hmong, which includes incense, candles and jars of rice to call the spirits to heal the sick.
Applied medical anthropologists work in all types of healthcare settings in order to assist with creating healthcare programs that will work to benefit all individuals.
Applied medical anthropology involved the study of a people's healthcare customs, practices and beliefs. This field of study focuses on implementation of healthcare programs in communities, particularly those of ethnic and cultural minorities. These programs help to establish primary care services and establish healthcare facilities to needy populations. Applied medical anthropologists often work for local, state or federal agencies. They assists in the "resolution of healthcare problems" by being directly involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of healthcare projects. Applied medical anthropologists teach medical professional and are consultants for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
Some examples of healthcare projects include:
- HIV/AIDS Prevention (Joralemon, 2010: 94)
- Nutrition of at-risk populations, such as the "Nutrition Improvement Project: in Indonesia (Joralemon, 2010: 93)
- Family planning
- Sanitation and hygiene initiatives
Applied Medical Anthropologists must be culturally competent because they often work directly with people in their cultural settings. Competency helps to develop an understanding for other cultures and therefore makes developing trust easier. It is important for anthropologists to build a rapport with the people they are studying in order to gain access to intimate details about their lives and practices.
*The pictures above represent two very different ideas about healthcare.
The picture on the left is a representation of Western medicine. Americans believe in seeking care from healthcare clinics such as hospitals and doctors' offices that are staffed with healthcare professionals. Americans tend to rely on physicians to diagnose and treat illnesses using procedures and medications.
The picture on the right represents the healing practices of the Hmong, which includes incense, candles and jars of rice to call the spirits to heal the sick.
Applied medical anthropologists work in all types of healthcare settings in order to assist with creating healthcare programs that will work to benefit all individuals.