Health and Culture

Use the four factors from Willis (2004, as cited in Germov, 2009, p. 6) sociological visual modality usher to suck background data to poll the question. Historical factors Cultural factors Structural factors Critical factors Be sure to specifically identify and describe issues for each factor in your analysis. (approx. cd words example up one academician source your textbook, Second Opinion). It is comm moreover debated whether impostal health practices should be raised by the World Health brass. Wills Sociological Imagination template helps reflect on this topic.This template created by Willis (2004, as cited in Germov, 2005, p. 21) provides an opportunity for me to gain a better background analysis and fresh view of the human race custom health practices that are in place. The four factors involved in this template include historical, cultural, structural and critical. This template will help me question my views and assumptions to gain a greater insight to th e state this question. Willis describes the four factors of the sociological imagination as interrelated. Willis use of the historical factors enables me to connect how past historical influencing are effecting the usher in problems.I would ague that traditional health practices has carved a strong niche within the provisions of health tutelage. However, I behindt disagree that tradition treats can be historically seen as the oldest form of health solicitude. It makes me realise that it is, no wonder it has become such an embedded part of todays cultural tradition especially in the poorer countries. Willis as well as comments that cultural square ups also effect the present. From what I at a lower placestand traditional medicine is the knowledge and practice that is based on theories and judgement that are utilise throughout cultural history.I would say catch cultural factors and beliefs associated with traditional medicine practices is important this is because I believ e it will give me bully grounding on the belief systems that influence this type of health keeping. Structural factors is something that I would describe as distinguishing one society from another. However, I come back this can not be confused with culture, language, or ethnicity, and rather the social structure of the society as a whole. Willis describes this very similar to my idea, in saying that it is how a social groups structure and shape their lives.My views in this, is that every ethnic culture has its own relationship to the environment, thus cultural values throw off become an unified part of social structure. I know that from reflecting on my own life that medical knowledge has changed and developed over time and that theoretical knowledge of medicine, has interpreted over from the once experimental knowledge. However, I would ague that poorer countries structure are not westernised like my own and therefore traditional medicine practices can be the solely way that s ome social groups can survive.Willis also allows a critical factor approach thinking, that is based on what can be amend on the present circumstances. This critical approach thinking to traditional medicine helps me to understand a stance that prompts possible better social positioning. This factor allows me to get to a more in-depth knowledge on the political struggles operating within health care and what can be done to emend it. 515words Step 3 Next, identify and cite one of the readings, articles or videos from the eModule and describe how it has helped you to gain a deeper understanding of this topic.Remember to relate the information from this resource back to the factors from the sociological imagination template. (approx. 400 words use two academic sources one from your textbook + one from the eModule) Having discussed factors that define and ground traditional health practices in relation to the sociological imagination template, my attention will now turn to discuss tw o statements made in the third eModule that helps me gain a deeper understanding of this topic. Mcmurray (2007, p. 7) fires, ealth and illness is socially constructed with the invention that health is a product of the individuals and their interaction with the environment. Mcmurray (2007, p. 310) again backs up this information and refers that health or illness are expressed and defined in contrasting ways in polar cultural groups based on the ways the particular group relates with the environment. When I first read this statement, it confirmed my ideologies in regards to the different societies and the influences that structure a cultures way of life.My timbreing towards this simply enforces the fact that people are very much a product of their own environment. In recognising that poorer societies are raised on the ideologies of history and cultural influences it is fair for me to agree with Mcmurray statement. When I relate poorer countries medical practices to my own life is can not be argued the experience would vary greatly. Being brought up in Australia surround by westernised practices, has made me very accustomed to the fact that medical advice is accessible anywhere.This information has not only become part of normal social structure scarce is constantly changing as medicine advances. Critical factors always allow for westinised medicine to improve on what it is currently. For me to compare Australian medical practices to a poor countries, it would be obvious that medical information would be a lot different collect to the resources available. Mcmurray statement has given me a more in-depth insight into how cultural groups view illness and the practices in place, based on the long generational history.However, it is now neat apparent to me, that for many of these third humanity countries, historical practices can sometimes be the only information that people are receiving in regards to healthcare. I can now see that health is indeed very dif ferent in cultural group, as they perceive illness differently due to their surrounding environment. thirdly world countries really only have cultural traditions to base there medical practices on. Not only this but Mcmurray also mentioned that the environment around them is the only source of availability.It makes me question the prevelegeses that I have coming from a structural westernised society. In Australia social structure allows people to have healthcare access but I have never thought past this, that the society structures in poor countries dont have those same privileges. It seems traditional medical practices is the base to the health care system in a lot of the third world countries. I ask myself, is this issue due to poorer country letting health structures and standards slip or is it an easier approach put in place by third world countries to help manage health care because of economical poverty. 15words Step 4 Now, mental synthesis upon your understanding from sourc es you identified in the previous steps, answer the original question you identified in Step 1, using at least four academic sources (e. g. journal articles, research reports) to support your answer. Locate these academic sources through your own information search. (600 words use at least 4 new academic/literature sources. Only one website permitted. ) With the information that I have gathered, I will revert back to the original question of whether the World Health Organisation should encourage tradition health practices in the poorer countries.I was very unaware that the World Health Organisation has had much debate into the protection of tradition health care practices in developing countries (Wilhelm, 2008). From the research that I have gathered, Tanaka, Kendal and Laland, (2009) comments that over 60-80% of the population that use traditional medicine are predominately from developing countries. What I have learnt is that this research indicates that this form of practice has become an accepted form of healthcare. However, when I reflect this back to Australia, in no way is tradition medicine what I would consider first picking in health care.From what I have always experienced, westernised medicine has always been the primary health care choice in my household. I would relate this directly back to my family background, as we have always relied on convenient and up-to date health care knowledge. However, I had peculiar(a) knowledge that traditional medicine had also become part of Australian practice. This lack of knowledge was confirmed by Tanaka et al, that indeed tradition health care has gained immense popularity and acceptance.This new found information has now become more relatable to that of a third world countries. It makes me question, if westernised countries are implicating these practices, then where are third world countries going wrong? In contrast to tradition health practices also becoming part of Australia health care, my research has shown that The World Health Organisation have launched a huge global outcry to encourage an increase awareness into the safety, quality, efficacy of traditional practices.From what I understand of traditional health practices is that it has always been under scrutiny in it questionability of effectiveness. Pera and Tonder, (2005) confirms this and argues that many modern practitioners disagree with this form of health care as traditional healers have not got the knowledge base or skill to be-able to give out an accurate diagnosis in medicine. Although I do agree with this statement, I believe WHO needs to continue to support and encourage tradition healers as third world countries havent got western medicine and medical knowledge is unattainable.Although cultural and historical factors my account for why communities of third world countries use tradition health practices, I found it also important to remember that social structures such as economics and political forces are also inv olved. As previously mentioned, Australian have access to health resources, with everyone entitled to medical care. On the other hand it has become apparent to me that this is no the typesetters case for poorer economical countries, that dont have the resources to support such a system.I now realise that it is no wonder that countries in this predicament have no choice but to rely on basic health care. From this I have learnt how important it is that WHO supports this practice, to still ensure people have access to some kind of health care. However,by encouraging this practice, I believe it is also essential that education and awareness is created within this practice. This comes under critical factors in the sociological template that gives the ability to suggest improvements to the current system.I agree with the ideas of Bodeker et al (2005) in that urgent attention need to be given to educate traditional practioniers on information and use of medical substances. Bodeker et al a lso explains the need to sensitise the public so they are aware of the availability and benefits of tradition health therapies. I think it will make a vast difference by The World Health Organisation promoting tradition healthcare, especially if it can incorporate the factors outline in what I thought was a critical factor. Step 5Finally, choose one of the Graduate Attributes (at the front of the Unit Outline) that is most relevant to this assessment and how answering this eModule question has helped you to develop this Graduate Attribute I feel answering whether traditional medicine practice should be encourage, has helped me develop a good understanding of a particular Graduate attribute of this unit. This graduate attribute was all about demonstrating respect for each individual and human diversity however, i feel that answering the original question I have had to develop this skill.I argue this because from the very beginning of becoming a student nurse it was always pivotal th at we understood and implemented dignity for transcultural care. With this particular topic being covered by the sociological template, cultural factors were covered. It became apparent to me what a large influence culture had on traditional health practices. By learning and applying culturally competent care I have now learnt the importances of human dignity and how to implement this nursing intervention to incorporate many values and cultural beliefs.I think this skill of recognising respect for human diversity is essential as all cultures loss their values and beliefs upheld and respected. I see learning and applying the sociological imagination is so important to get a grasp into all element of the use of traditional medicine. (100 words no literature required) Reference Bodeker, G. , Ong, C. K. , Grundy, C. , Burford, G. , & Shein, K. (2005). orld health organization global atlas of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. (Vol. 1, p. 31). World Health Organization . Pera, S. A. & Tonder, S. (2005). Ethics in health care. (2 ed. , pp. 195-196). Landsowne Juta & Co. Tanaka, M. , Kendal, J. , & Laland, K. (2009). From traditional medicine to witchcraft why medical treatments are not always efficacious. Journal Article Research Support, 4(4), 5192. doi 10. 1371/journal. pone. 0005192 Tjale, A. , & De Villiers, L. (2004). Cultural issues in health and health care A resourcebook for southern africa . (p. 23). Landsowne Juta & Co. Wilhelm, K. (2008). Encyclopedia of public health . (2 ed. , Vol. 2, pp. 611-613). New York Springer