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Alternative Medicine and Self-care

Alternative Medicine and Self-care. Not just an alternative care source Also an alternative view of responsibility and personal power in the health/disease debate Centers around the perception of illness and health as a social not a medical problem. Perception and action.

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Alternative Medicine and Self-care

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  1. Alternative Medicine and Self-care • Not just an alternative care source • Also an alternative view of responsibility and personal power in the health/disease debate • Centers around the perception of illness and health as a social not a medical problem

  2. Perception and action • We can ignore the perception and hope it goes away • We can self treat (lots of options here today, both medical and alternative) • See a doctor

  3. Which do you choose? • Depends on concept of self • Depends on available resources • Depends on knowledge and information • Depends on whether we feel like being a victim or not

  4. Alternative Care • Anathema to medicine—less social control • Monopoly eroded by patient actions to seek self-care and alternative care • Cannot control the care to make it medical because the reason it is sought is to avoid medicine

  5. What is Alternative? • That which is not the standard in the society • Varies from culture to culture • Depends on availability, cost and social factors

  6. Why? • Monopoly eroded because • We are too scientific • Knowledge base dissemination (no secrets) • Patient rights • Devolution of trust • Increased effectiveness of alternative care • Increased self care with OTC meds--autonomy

  7. Options • Health centers for specific issues, example AA and women’s health • Acupuncturists • Nutritionists • Chiropractors • Holistic health • Herbalists, aroma, health counselors, and trainers

  8. Why again? • Makes patient more powerful • Makes patient more self reliant • Choice • Emphasis on health • Self-help movements (sells books) • Aid societies for victims (examples –Susan G.Koman, ACTUP, Independent Living) • Combines politics and care

  9. Social medical groups • Social entities organized around a disease or social/medical ill • Increasing social networks to cope with illness, promote health • Influences and funds research • Influences medical practice

  10. Social Actors • Combine power of individuals to affect medical care • Now national campaigns, social support groups, influence political and medical decisions • Culture of social action • Emotion, announcement, enactment • What is really behind this may be who gets and uses the money—cynical view

  11. Examples • MDA • Feminism and women’s health • ACTUP • Unicef

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