Integration for coexistence? Implementation of intercultural health care policy in Ghana from the pe

来源 :Journal of Integrative Medicine | 被引量 : 0次 | 上传用户:zhuyong006
下载到本地 , 更方便阅读
声明 : 本文档内容版权归属内容提供方 , 如果您对本文有版权争议 , 可与客服联系进行内容授权或下架
论文部分内容阅读
OBJECTIVE: In spite of the World Health Organization’s recommendations over the past decades,Ghana features pluralistic rather than truly integrated medical system. Policies about the integration of complementary medicine into the national health care delivery system need to account for individuallevel involvement and cultural acceptability of care rendered by health care providers. Studies in Ghana,however, have glossed over the standpoint of the persons of the illness episode about the intercultural health care policy framework. This paper explores the health care users, and providers’ experiences and attitudes towards the implementation of intercultural health care policy in Ghana.METHODS: In-depth interviews, augmented with informal conversations, were conducted with 16 health service users, 7 traditional healers and 6 health professionals in the Sekyere South District and Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data were thematically analysed and presented based on the a posteriori inductive reduction approach.RESULTS: Findings reveal a widespread positive attitude to, and support for integrative medical care in Ghana. However, inter-provider communication in a form of cross-referrals and collaborative mechanisms between healers and health professionals seldom occurs and remains unofficially sanctioned. Traditional healers and health care professionals are skeptical about intercultural health care policy mainly due to inadequate political commitment for provider education. The medical practitioners have limited opportunity to undergo training for integrative medical practice. We also find a serious mistrust between the practitioners due to the “diversity of healing approaches and techniques.” Weak institutional support,lack of training to meet standards of practice, poor registration and regulatory measures as well as negative perception of the integrative medical policy inhibit its implementation in Ghana.CONCLUSION: In order to advance any useful intercultural health care policy in Ghana, the government’s total commitment in informed training and provider education,enforcement of regulatoryinstrument and improved community engagement is needed. Evidence-based incorporation of traditional medical therapies into clinical practice will provide safer, faster and more effective health care for the underserved and resource-poor, particularly in the rnral areas. OBJECTIVE: In spite of the World Health Organization’s recommendations over the past decades, Ghana features plural rather rather than substantially integrated medical system. Policies about the integration of complementary medicine into the national health care delivery system need to account for individuallevel involvement and cultural acceptability of care Studies in Ghana, however, have glossed over the standpoint of the persons of the illness episode about the intercultural health care policy framework. This paper explores the health care users, and providers’ experiences and attitudes towards the implementation of intercultural health care policy in Ghana.METHODS: In-depth interviews, augmented with informal conversations, were conducted with 16 health service users, 7 traditional healers and 6 health professionals in the Sekyere South District and Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data were thematically analyzed and presented based on the a Results of posteriori inductive reduction approach .RESULTS: Findings reveal a widespread positive attitude to, and support for integrative medical care in Ghana. However, inter-provider communication in a form of cross-referrals and collaborative mechanisms between healers and health professionals seldom occurs and remains unofficially The medical practitioners have limited opportunity to undergo training for integrative medical practice. We also find a serious mistrust between the practitioners due to the “diversity of healing approaches and techniques. ” Weak institutional support, lack of training to meet standards of practice, poor registration and regulatory measures as well as negative perception of the integrative medical policy inhibit its implementation in Ghana. CONCLUSION: In order to advance any usefulintercultural health care policy in Ghana, the government’s total commitment in informed training and provider education, enforcement of regulatoryinstrument and improved community engagement is needed. Evidence-based incorporation of traditional medical therapies into clinical practice will provide safer, faster and more effective health care for the underserved and resource-poor, particularly in the rnral areas.
其他文献
1997年1月29日江泽民同志在上届中纪委八次全会上发表《大力发扬艰苦奋斗的精神》重要讲话,5月25日中共中央、国务院发出《关于党政机关厉行节约制止奢侈浪费行为的若干规定》,从此在全国
今天,人们印象中的鲁班,是建筑业的鼻祖、土木工匠的祖师。其实历史上真实的鲁班不仅如此,他更是一个跨学科、跨行业,一生刻苦钻研、勇于创新、勤于实践,发明创造出很多新事
因为是第一次打仗,人小,胆子也小,心急,枪拿不稳,枪打得很费力。看不见日本兵在什么地方,只知道朝前面开枪。在硝烟中,只见战友一个一个地倒下,不一会儿,一个排只剩下十来个
暗夜,狼群瞪大的眼睛。黑夜下,它是闪烁的星点。耗尽几个月的时间,它们早已如饥似渴,蓄势待发。排兵布阵,坚守阵地,它们万事俱备,伺机而发。盼望着的脚步声终于接近,嗅到猎物
1949年5月至1951年11月,谭震林担任浙江省委书记。他呕心沥血,勇于开拓,为建设社会主义的新浙江做出了不可磨灭的贡献。在建设新浙江的过程中,谭震林很注意爱护知识分子,把他
本文报导了11例多发性硬化(MS)和它们的视觉诱发电位(VEP)。在22眼中21眼为MS视神经炎,1眼视功能正常。21眼MS视神经炎的VEP全部异常,另1眼VEP正常。MS视神经炎的VEP检查结果是:1.PVEP6眼不能记录到波形,12眼的P100成分峰时延迟(124.6±
作物从土壤里能不断的吸收所需肥水,主要依靠土壤有良好的结构,而土壤的结构是土壤腐殖质与土壤矿质结合一起形成的。土壤腐殖质的积累,除受土壤本身质地与地理环境影响外,
长庆油田公司第三采油厂继去年原油产量跨越240万吨大关之后,瞄准今年246.1万吨的生产目标,调整思路,优化管理,自觉加压,全面加快原油生产步伐,全力推进发展进程,原油生产步
中华人民共和国遭受着世界上最严重的侵蚀和淤积问题.大量的土壤流失,特别在中国西北地区黄土高原上,产生庞大的输沙量,造成黄河下游洪水泛滥.虽经几百年长时间的努力降低土