Alternative Health Care Systems Research Articles

Place of the indigenous and the western systems of medicine in the health services of India.

The interrelationships of the indigenous (traditional and western (modern) systems of medicine are a function of the interplay of social, economic, and political forces in the community. In India, western medicine was used as a political weapon by the colonialists to strengthen the oppressing classes and to weaken the oppressed. Not only were the masses denied access to the western system of medicine, but this system contributed to the decay and degeneration of the preexisting indigenous systems. This western and privileged-class orientation of the health services has been actively perpetuated and promoted by the postcolonial leadership of India. The issue in formulating an alternative health care system for India is essentially that of rectifying the distortions which have been brought about by various forces. The basic premise for such an alternative will be to start with the people. Action in this field will lead to a more harmonious mix between the indigenous and western systems of medicine.

Women in Alternative Health Care

Male domination of the traditional health care systems is well recognized. In contrast, it appears that women are a more important force in the alternative health care system, which is made up of neighborhood clinics and community health centers. A study of 17 such alternative health care centers in the San Diego area discloses that women account for almost half of the directors, all seven of the assistant directors, more than three-fourths of the clinic coordinators, and almost half (40%) of the membership of the boards of directors. Since many of the recent innovations in traditional health care derive from the alternative health care movement, the influence of women on the traditional systems may be more substantial than heretofore recognized.

Women in alternative health care. Their influence on traditional medicine

Male domination of the traditional health care systems is well recognized. In contrast, it appears that women are a more important force in the alternative health care system, which is made up of neighborhood clinics and community health centers. A study of 17 such alternative health care centers in the San Diego area discloses that women account for almost half of the directors, all seven of the assistant directors, more than three-fourths of the clinic coordinators, and almost half (40%) of the membership of the boards of directors. Since many of the recent innovations in traditional health care derive from the alternative health care movement, the influence of women on the traditional systems may be more substantial than heretofore recognized. (<i>JAMA</i>241:719-721, 1979)

Nurse Clinician Program for Diabetic Outpatient Care.

Meeting Abstracts1 May 1972Nurse Clinician Program for Diabetic Outpatient Care.A. N. Bessman, M.D., F.A.C.P.A. N. Bessman, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-76-5-854_5 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe need for outpatient services and the shortage of physicians demand that alternative health care systems be devised. A nurse clinician program designed both to provide this service in the outpatient setting and to compare the quality of medical care with that delivered by the traditional house staff—senior-staff-physician system was initiated in January 1969. The study encompasses 250 patients in each group with a maximum follow-up of 2½ hours and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Patients in the two clinics were equivalent in age, sex, severity of diabetes, and socioeconomic background. The nurses in the clinic had an intensive... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Los Angeles, Calif. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 May 1972Volume 76, Issue 5Page: 854-855KeywordsHealth careHealth care qualityNursesOutpatients Issue Published: 1 May 1972 PDF DownloadLoading ...