Abstract
BackgroundSocietal diversity encompasses an array of cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs that influence an individual’s perspective of illness and diseases. Healthcare providers are challenged with the task of considering these diversities in clinical practice. The symbiotic relationship between the healthcare provider and the traditional healer in any healthcare field is rare.ObjectivesThe aims were to determine the perspectives of audiologists with regard to traditional healing in South Africa (SA) and to document if and how the audiologist engages with traditional healing in practice.MethodA questionnaire containing closed and open-ended questions was utilised. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data, and the quantitative data were displayed using tables and figures.ResultsForty-one audiologists working at public and private hospitals and clinics in SA were included in this study. The personal experiences of audiologists resulted in varying definitions of a traditional healer. Audiologists reported that patients utilised traditional healing methods such as pouring urine or motor oil into the ear. Strategies of accommodation included being culturally appropriate during conversations, respecting and acknowledging the individual’s cultural and religious beliefs. Twenty-seven audiologists were willing to collaborate with traditional healers to support the patient.ConclusionThere is a need for an integral holistic model of care in Audiology. There is a lack of communication structures to facilitate the implementation of a collaborative model of care in the current medical model of practice of Audiology. The global trend of holistic and person-centred care is evident, and the field of Audiology cannot negate the role of traditional healers as alternate healthcare providers in SA.
Highlights
A client describes to the audiologist how a traditional healer played a significant role in the series of events that unfolded after she noticed that her child had a hearing impairment.The above scenario may vary in its ending
The participants had different years of experience as a practising audiologist as seen from Table 1. Participants had completed their Audiology degree at either the Medical University of South African (MEDUNSA) (2), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) (19), University of Pretoria (UP) (7), University of Cape Town (UCT) (3), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) (7) and the University of Stellenbosch (1), and four participants did not state where they had completed their degree in Audiology
The results of this study revealed that audiologists have encountered negative aspects of traditional healing practices that compromise the client’s health as some clients were reluctant to take the medical treatment when they were taking the traditional medication, and the methods that were reported by the participants seem unconventional when compared to western medical management
Summary
A client describes to the audiologist how a traditional healer played a significant role in the series of events that unfolded after she noticed that her child had a hearing impairment.The above scenario may vary in its ending. The South African population includes individuals from diverse cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds. The forefathers of the different ethnic groups such as African, Indian and Asian groups still rely on traditional healers for spiritual guidance and medical advice (Shapiro & Selin, 2006). The South African Indian population includes Islamic and Hindu healers and religious leaders who perform ceremonies and prayers for the sick using herbs (Ross, 2007). There are three types of South African Muslim traditional healers: the Moulana, who is a spiritual leader who is consulted when there is a psychological, medical and social issue; the Hakeem, who is a Muslim physician; and the gift healer, who is blessed with supernatural powers to provide various treatments for illness and disabilities (Ross, 2007). Christians have priests and pastors who are consulted for spiritual support in SA
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