Models of Health and Models of Interaction in the Practitioner–Client Relationship in Acupuncture

Abstract

The doctor–patient relationship has been widely studied in biomedicine. However, little research has focused on similar provider–client relationships in holistic healthcare forms. Based on ethnographic research with acupuncture clients and practitioners, the authors found that participants used specific models of health to understand and develop subsequent models of interaction, and in doing so, provided a clear critique of biomedicine. This article offers a brief overview of major models of healthcare, including biomedical, biopsychosocial, and holistic. The authors present current models of interaction that have been used to understand the biomedical doctor–patient relationship, and discuss the utility of both sets of models as they relate to the ethnographic observations. Although a particular model of health (biomedical or holistic) does not necessitate a particular model of health interaction (paternalism, consumerism, or collaboration), participants' attempts to tie these 2 realms together are important to understanding practitioner–patient relationships in all healthcare situations.