Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine - Discussion Boards

Umar

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 9, 2010 - 04:24 AM

umarndiwalana wrote:

The current research in health is built on the assumption that Western medicine is superior to the Traditional medicine from a historic perspective, the predominance of the nontraditional model of care in Africa is remarkable, and considering at serious sustained contract with western culture is more than 100 years for Africa because of the efficacy of the biomedical model in the actual elimination of infectious disease however the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the mid 80's has reduced the advantage of biomedical medical medicine over Traditional medicine to zero in developing countries.

The prevalence of the biomedical model of care is at the center of the current failures to learn from and integrate with traditional medic. And yet traditional medicine represents the largest indigenous resource base for caring for the population

There has been limited genuine dialogue between TM and WM. The result of this has been the incapacity to utilize the vast resource base for caring for patients. The relationship between traditional medicines has been hierarchical rather than horizontal, denying the possibility of cross- fertilization between the two systems of health care

The hostility of western doctor towards traditional medicine does not hinder patients from seeking help from these same sources Patients continue to seek care and treatment even from sources that majority do not approve of. Nearly all the studies have been carried out tended to focus on health centers hospitals, and home visits, which are built on the biomedical model. In addition TM is embedded in the socio- cultural environment which are meant to bring normally in the community

This call up for urgent dialogue, reflection holistic and redefine research approach to traditional and nontraditional systematic view of health

Robert Dold

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 11, 2010 - 12:37 AM

There is no "System" of "Traditional Medicine". Western Medicine is as you say a "System". You say "The current research in health is built on the assumption that Western medicine is superior to the Traditional medicine".

Your views are opinion. Western Doctors have no view against "Traditional African Medicine". If African Medical practices are better then why is there need for Western Medicine. Western Medicine is not dictated by Western Doctors. Western Medicine goes through research by Scientists in research facilities that accept any credible solution to then research as research is the focus and not who has different opinions as to what works in the field. Procedures and substances which become used by Doctors is the same information given to ALL Doctors and Doctors have only the need to administer or follow procedures that work for everyone.

The Western System is not a Dialogue between Doctors as to what will or does work as the testing and proving is done before being introduced into Society. Finding rigidity among Western Doctors is the best benefit of the Western System of Medicine. Asking W.Doctors to stop and accept something else no matter how well the new medicine or old medicine is said to work is AGAINST the whole "Western System".

You must redirect your way of thinking and go to the African Traditionalists and ask for their "Ways" of solving problems and seek out the correct avenues into the Western System through researchers who would love to find information to research if there is more than opinion. Or learn the Western System and use what works for people in Africa on an "As Is" basis. Many "Scientists" go to live in places where they study "Traditional Methods" and substances which are then brought in through objective research that must be clearly able to be labeled and reproduced anywhere for the Global Economy. The "Grandmother's Recipe" is just subjective until full testing is complete and able to be placed even in the hands of incompetent Doctors.

Umar

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 11, 2010 - 02:30 AM

Everywhere in the world, science in general and health in particular have con-spacious uneasiness with questionable attitudes and behaviours.
Universally, man has vanished his position due to his aspiration to give a scientific explanation to the whole thing takes him away from the essense of life which is vibrating and invigorating and leaving him on the abyss of the unknown. Besides that Man has moved from empirical knowledge to the con-quest of space by following technology that grown so fast that the psychological man could not follow. After a difficult assimilation of “technical progress”, which is still not perfect, new changes caused by world wars ,globalization, are challenging the most logical reasoning and they do not ﬁt into any classical conceptual method.

The need is to prepare a more humane science. A humane science is necessary to restore the balance between physical and mental bodies. Humans need roots to complete development. In the search for solutions to the problems and challenges that our planet and species are facing we need to support one another and work together in order to bring its modest contribution to this great task.

siddiqua

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 14, 2010 - 08:41 AM

You made a good point Robert. Come to think of it, doctors everywhere practice the same medicine system(the non-traditonal) and still refer to that system as the Western system.

Doctors and health practitioners everywhere are opposed to any traditional forms of medicine - Tribal, Homoeopathy, Unani, etc. And yes, it still does not stop people from seeking traditional medicine practitioners.
I feel instead of trying to prove that alternate medicine is fake, all alternatives should be legalised, studied in higher institutions after an undergraduate medical course degree, and be available to all patients who want other options.

sidsayed PROFILE

Robert Dold

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 14, 2010 - 09:18 AM

Correct.

The "Western" system has never been a closed system to any advantage. Doctors should never be tied down by argument, debate, and points of views. Knowledged should be the purpose and an end result should be found for a patient.

For little things like a common cold there is many alternatives for the patient. Which doctor does the patient choose? The one that works best for the patient. But for the patient to go to a doctor and to tell that doctor that he does not provide what the patient wants? Come on... the word is be reasonable.

In big cases such as an epidemic where many patients become sick and have no choice is the best service of what became "Western" medicine as many doctors, scientists, and researchers became the C.D.C. or center for disease control along with N.I.H. in the U.S as the National Institutes for Health and Human Services. These large institutions tackle the most difficult things that attack the human body. If they thought that a traditional way was working then trust me it was already tested. There is no time such as tomorrow to find cures for what is going to hit the world at any time and argument or a call for change of methods solves nothing.

Being deathly sick should still give the chance for the patient to decide which treatment is best but the best treatment should be found outside of debate.

Umar

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 19, 2010 - 02:34 AM

Reasons for Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine not only health problems, but also the research methodology for evaluating traditional medicine in its totality. There is literature and data on the research of traditional medicine in various countries, but all scientists like you Robert and siddiqua may not accept the data. There is a need for validation and standardization of phytomedicines and traditional medical knowledge practices so that this sector can be accorded its rightful place in the health care system.

As the characteristics and applications of traditional medical knowledge and practices are quite different form western medicine, how to evaluate traditional medicine and what kind of academic research approaches and methods may be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine are new challenges which have emerged in recent years. Along with increased interest in traditional medicine there is an increased interest in the safety aspects of practicing herbal medicine.

There are still gaps in the knowledge of how traditional health systems work; their limitations and prospects. There is lack of understanding of cosmovisions of traditional healers and of the links between spirituality and traditional healing. Successful experiences and approaches on use of traditional medicine are still rare. With regard to research aspects pertaining to traditional medicine; a number of questions are still unanswered: What has been done to promote mutual understanding and professional respect between western doctors and the traditional healers? What has been done to protect traditional healers against exploitation from opportunistic economists and researchers? Which aspects of traditional medicine can be combined with western style medicine and how? What are the limitations and potentials of spiritual beliefs relating to traditional healing systems? What makes these approaches different from the conventional or mainstream research approaches? How can we come to terms with dominating position of conventional science, globalization and commercialization of western technologies? How do we achieve decolonization of the academy, of science and of the mind? How do we revitalize traditional knowledge and practices through education, research and development activities? What are the complementarities, contradictions, and synergies between sciences? How do we avoid marginalization of traditional medicine and to enhance complementarily and co-evolution? Lastly, how do we integrate traditional medicine into the national health care system?

Umar

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 19, 2010 - 02:35 AM

Robert Dold

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 19, 2010 - 09:21 AM

Umar. Stop. Umar. Relax. Umar... come back down to earth for a minute.

Stop for a minute. Take a deep breath. Read what I wrote again but this time remove your opinion about me and everyone as if we are just against humanity and you. The western system in no way is a problem when the system works for a patient. Traditional medicine is of great value when a patient becomes healed in any way either spiritually or mentally etc...

Robert Dold

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 19, 2010 - 09:34 AM

....

Some one like me justs steps in to help with advice of how to get started and all of a sudden I am a "SCIENTIST!!!" come on Umar. Just for a moment reason past your view into my view. I see your point of the world and the difficulty with western medicine and the whole western ways which focus on dominating the whole world through capitalistic globalisation. There is nothing you or I am able to do against that. Going against or attacking everything you see is also against spirituality and the working together of humans.

The effort should be focused, reasoned, constructive. Just throwing around ideas, arguments, and complaints is probably why doctors get away from people that have more problems than the problem of solutions through constructive realistic effort.

It WORKS!!! I tell you it WORKS!!! is not a reasoned, planned, spiritual way of getting others who must be involved come to a table when what they find is emotional traditionalists worried about themselves rather than a specific solution or patient.

Umar

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Re: Redefine research methodology to bridge the gap between traditional and western medicine
October 19, 2010 - 12:39 PM

umarndiwalana wrote:

Everywhere in the world, science in general and health in particular have con-spacious uneasiness with questionable attitudes and behaviours.
Universally, man has vanished his position due to his aspiration to give a scientific explanation to the whole thing takes him away from the essense of life which is vibrating and invigorating and leaving him on the abyss of the unknown. Besides that Man has moved from empirical knowledge to the con-quest of space by following technology that grown so fast that the psychological man could not follow. After a difficult assimilation of “technical progress”, which is still not perfect, new changes caused by world wars ,globalization, are challenging the most logical reasoning and they do not ﬁt into any classical conceptual method.

The need is to prepare a more humane science. A humane science is necessary to restore the balance between physical and mental bodies. Humans need roots to complete development. In the search for solutions to the problems and challenges that our planet and species are facing we need to support one another and work together in order to bring its modest contribution to this great task.