Medical anthropology
Medical anthropology is a sub-branch of
cultural anthropology
that is concerned with the appliation of
anthropological
and
social science theories and methods to questions about
health, illness and healing.
Some
medical anthropologists are trained primarily in
anthropology as their main discipline, while others have
studied anthropology after training and working in health or
related professions such as
medicine,
nursing or
psychology.
Medical anthropologists conduct research in settings as diverse
as rural villages and urban hospitals and clinics.
They may teach medical anthropology in university anthropology
departments, medical and nursing schools and in community-based
settings.
Themes and questions in medical anthropology include:
- Development of systems of medical knowledge and health care
- Patient-practitioner relationships
- Integrating alternative medical systems in culturally diverse environments
- The interactions between biological, environmental and social factors influencing health and illness at both individual and community levels