MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINESMASTER OF ARTS IN NURSING

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERCATEGORIES:

Indigenous or Folk Medicine

Western Type

A. INDIGENOUS OR FOLK MEDICINEFolk medicine is a form of healthcare that involves the use of remedies and practices that are handed down from one generation to the next.

These remedies make use of herbs and other natural elements to aid in caring for the infirm, as well as helping individuals maintain good health.

TRADITIONAL (FOLK) HEALERA folk healer is an unlicensed person who practices the art of healing using traditional practices, herbal remedies and even the power of suggestion.

In some cultures a healer might be considered to be a person who has inherited the "gift" of healing from his or her parent.

PRACTITIONERS OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE MAY INCLUDE:Acupuncturist Ayurvedic Herbalist Homeopath Naturopath Siddhar Unani

ACUPUNCTURE

ACUPUNCTUREIt is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is among the oldest healing practices in the world.

Acupuncturist inserts needles into various points on the body in order to relieve pain or to relax certain areas of the body.

They believe that success in acupuncture is due to the needles stimulating the nervous, endocrine, and lymphatic systems.

AYUVERDA

AYUVERDAA system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and a form of alternative medicine.

Ayurvedic practitioners utilize yoga, meditation, massage, or healing herbs or foods as a supplement to the biomedical model.

HERBAL MEDICINE

HERBAL MEDICINEHerbalism is the study and use of medicinal properties of plants.

Herbalist uses herbs (plants and plant extracts) as their way of healing and alleviating illness.

HOMEOPATHY

HOMEOPATHYA system of alternative medicine originated in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on his doctrine of similia similibus curentur ("like cures like"), according to which a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people.

Homeopathic practitioners use animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic substances for remedies.

NATUROPATHY

NATUROPATHYNaturopath follows a natural approach to healing of the body using natural remedies and the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself.

Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs.

SIDDHA MEDICINE

SIDDHA MEDICINEOne of the oldest medical systems known to mankind.

Siddhars are the masters of the medicine.

Treatment in siddha medicine is aimed at keeping the three humors in equilibrium. So proper diet, medicine and a disciplined regimen of life are advised for a healthy living and to restore equilibrium of humors in diseased condition.

Traditional Chinese and Korean Medicine

UNANI

UNANIA form of traditional medicine widely practiced by Muslims.

Unani medicine is based on the concept of the four humors: Phlegm (Balgham), Blood (Dam), Yellow bile (afr') and Black bile (Saud').

PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL HEALERSIn the Philippines, there are different types of traditional healers. Most of these healers consider their healing craft as God-given, a calling from a supernatural being, and consequently, their healing practices are profusely infused with prayers and religious rituals. Usually rural-based, they are also present in the urban and suburban communities.

THE ALBULARYO

THE ALBULARYOThey believe in animistic and mythological creatures such as nuno, lamang lupa, tikbalang and kapres- creatures that often complicate the conundrum of pathophysiology.

Methods of treatment used: prayers, spitting, rubbing, plastering and murmuring.

Although most are available for daily consultations, some practice their craft only on tuesdays and fridays, days of the week coinciding with the feast of the Sto. Nio and the feast of the Black Nazarene, when they believe their healing powers to be at their optimum.

MANGHIHILOT

MANGHIHILOTChiropractic' manipulation and massage for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoligamentous and muskuloskeletal ailments.

Like the albularyo, the hilot 's services are free-of-charge, fearing that set fees will lessen the hilot's healing power abilities. Voluntary donations are accepted: P10 - 100 or in kind - cigarettes, snacks, etc.

MANGLULUOPDetermines the cause of an illness through the ritual of luop.

Ritual paraphernalia consists of the kalanghuga (a kind of freshwater or saltwater shell), salt (to weaken the supernatural spirits), benditang palaspas (piece of blessed palm leaves from Palm Sunday), charcoal made from a coconut shell, a coconut midrib and a tin plate.

A fiery concoction is made from these elements on a tin plate, in consonance with prayers and invocations and performing the sign-of-the-cross thrice over the patient, the kalanghuga is examined.

MANGLULUOPThe diagnosis is suggested by its appearance: Roughness, a slight affliction; stickiness, a sprain; a figure or form (hugis-hugis), a displeased environmental spirit; brittleness, a really angered spirit.

The treatment is then suggested and the necessary alternative referral made. After the diagnostic ritual, the shell is powdered while praying, a sign-of-the-cross is performed on the patient's forehead, both palms and plantar arches of both feet.

Then, the ritual paraphernalia are thrown under the entrance stairs to prevent the evil spirits from reentering the house.

MANGTATAWAS

MANGTATAWASPerformed by most alternative healers that serves in providing clues as to the nature and cause of the illness.

Tawas refers to a diagnostic ritual or procedure, utilizing a variety of materials: candles, eggs, mirrors, plain paper, cigarette rolling-paper, and alum.

BAYLAN

BAYLANMediums are believed to possess extraordinary powers to cure sickness, to exorcise evil spirits from the rice fields, or out of the human body, and to intercede with good spirits for the petitions of the people.

They perform all important rituals, chant prayers for the community when the barrio faces a crisis. To insult or harm a medium is to endanger one's life.

ESPIRITISTA

ESPIRITISTAPsychic or astral surgeons who claim to cut incisions with their fingers and perform other miracles of para-science.

B. WESTERN TYPEWestern medicine is the term used to describe the treatment of conditions with medications, by doctors, nurses, and other conventional health care providers who employ methods developed according to Western medical and scientific traditions. Their approach to treatment relies heavily upon industrially produced medications and a strict compliance to the formal scientific process.

Western medicine encompasses all types of conventional medical treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy. The practitioners of Western medicine are doctors, nurses, physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists.

BLACK CULTURE (UNITED STATES)

BLACK CULTURE Black Americans have maintained a distinctive culture even after living in the United States for many generations. Within this culture, however, vast differences exists regarding health care.

Unfortunately, black Americans have a 5.9-year shorter life expectancy and a much higher incidence of hypertension and stroke compared with white Americans. Although poverty, discrimination, and limited access to health care explain some of these statistics, mistrust of " white " health care institutions can exacerbate the problem

African Americans practicing as traditional midwives use folk methods rather than nursing school training in their practice. Their dissatisfaction grew with medical doctors who insisted on hospitalization. They referred to the medical profession's tendency to force delivery or perform a Caesarean after so many hours of labor as a " technological birth " , not a humanistic birth, not a holistic birth.

Religious faith and prayer remain powerful influences within the black Christian community. Religious healing is often the first resort for devout black Christians and church involvement is associated with improved health and social well being.

Root medicine is an African healing tradition common in the Southern United States in which healers or " root doctors " use incantations to heal the mind and body. Witchcraft and " fixing " ( i.e. causing spells to cause illness ) are widely accepted but seldom discussed openly. Conspiracy theories may be common in some black communities. For example, some blacks are reluctant to donate organs because they believe that they will receive less aggressive care.

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTUREHealth and healing are among the most important concerns of Native American ritual. It is essential to understand the concept of health other than in terms of Western medicine.

One of the main differences between Western medicine and Native American medicine is that most Indian concepts of health and daily living is centered on wellness not illness.

Many Native American culture understand illness not as the result of some biochemical, physiological, or psychological malady, but as a sign of disorder in society or the world, which is reflected in the illness of an individual. Diagnosis thus consists of discerning the status of the country or the world. Healing requires repairing or restructuring the environmental concerns.

The term " medicine " does not have quite the same meaning for a native American Indian as it does in white society. The word medicine is not necessarily synonymous with curative.

In Northern Plains tribes, the word medicine connotes the mysterious, that is, things beyond powers of human understanding. With this wider definition of medicine, the medicine man was not only the doctor, but also the diviner, the rainmaker, the soothsayer, the prophet, the priest, and in some instances, the chief or king. So great was the influence of the medicine man upon his people that he became obstacle number one for the Europeans who tried to impose their culture. In most cases, whatever the medicine man refused. the people also refused to accept. Today it is common to choose alternative medicine even in most affluent and scientifically advanced communities. When modern medicine fails, people seek sources that are unconventional and often far from scientifically proven.

SPANISH SPEAKING CULTURE

SPANISH SPEAKING CULTURELatinos are believed to be the United States minority group. Poverty, immigration status, and mistrust of the medical establishment may keep many Latinos from seeking health care.

Latino healing traditions includes Curanderismo in Mexico and much of Latin America, Sanferia in Brazil and Cuba, and Espiritismo in Puerto Rico. Most of these traditions distinguish natural illness from supernatural illness.

Curanderos ( traditional; healers ) use incantations and herbs, sobaderos practice manipulation, parteras are midwives and abuelas ( literally " grandmother " but they are not necessarily related to the patient ) provide initial care.

Many traditional Latin American diagnoses remain popular among US immigrants, but some traditional treatments, such as azarca and greta ( lead salts ) and azogue ( mercury ) are harmful.

Traditional Latino diagnoses are often alternative cultural interpretations of common symptoms and may be categorized as hot and cold illnesses. For example, essential hypertension may be considered a hot condition that should be managed with cold therapies such as passion flower tea. It is critical to address the patient's understanding of such chronic diseases at the start of the therapy.

ASIAN CULTURE

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ASIAN CULTUREAsians are culturally diverse group that includes Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese nationalities. Traditional Chinese medicine remain popular. Chinese medicine is a tradition, in which treats the person as a whole using acupuncture, acupressure, and Chinese herbs. Dietary therapy, traditional herbal medicine, Western medicine, and supernatural healing may be used. Clients may be reluctant to reveal their health care provider that they have been using alternative treatment. Chinese medicine is based on keeping the body's yin ( cold ) and yang ( hot ) energies in harmonious balance.

India on one hand has a variety of medical systems of which Western medicine is only one. Treatment and medicine mixes fluidly with religion in Indian culture. The medical heritage of Muslim practices called unani tibbi integrates Arabic medicine, homeopathic systems, and regional and local health practices. Contrary to scientific understanding of germs, viruses, and genetic faults, illness and diseases are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the doshas ( three body humors ). Disease is caused by an imbalance of the bodily humors, and cured by a restoration of the balance through meditation, diet, and natural medicine.

Indian society prefers to treat patients holistically, emphasizing prevention. The majority of Indians use herbal remedies to cure illness. Root causes for diseases are considered to include many things such as physical ailments, stress, and karma. Treatment of illness mostly involves changes in diet, herbal remedies, massage, application of oil to key areas and rest.

Vietnamese are the Asians that view American health care as a way to relieve symptoms. They expect to be prescribed something to cure their illness immediately. Vietnamese frequently discontinue medicines after their symptoms disappear because they feel that if they do not experience any symptoms, there is no illness. Therefore, preventive, long-term medication must be discussed in length using culturally pertinent education. It is quite common for Vietnamese patients to save large quantities of half-used antibiotics. Western medicines, especially oral medications, are seen as another barrier to compliance. Vietnamese commonly believe that Western pharmaceuticals are developed for Americans and Europeans. They believe that the dosage are too strong for their culture as to their body build so they might readjust their dosage to what they consider to be correct.

Vietnamese hold great respect for those with education, especially doctors. The doctor is considered the expert on health. They expect doctors to diagnose and heal all in one visit with little examination or invasive laboratory or other diagnostic tests. In addition, laboratory procedures involving the drawing of blood are feared and even resisted by Vietnamese, who believe that their body cannot replace what was lost. Surgery is particularly feared for this reason and is used only as last resort.

Lastly, for the Japanese. they believe that the body is as holy as the mind. Japanese culture does not place emphasis on personal control, they will be more likely to view an illness as something outside their own control. Most of Western medicine is based on individual choice. Individual choice is a culturally bound issue and one that the Japanese will not always share. Therefore, they will greatly appreciate guidance from health care providers regarding health-related issues. Health care providers should therefore plan interventions using structured, planned activities where roles and expectations are clearly defined. Professionals should avoid physical touching, which may cause anxiety in the Japanese. A more directive approach should be utilized when working with Japanese patients. Japanese patients typically prefer to be guided through the world of Western medicine.

THANK YOU!

Submitted by:JENNIFER C. GRAGERAPERLA TAON