Conceptions of illness, help seeking pathways and attitudes towards an integrated health care system : perspectives from psychological counsellors, traditional healers and health care users.
Year: 2008
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Perceptions of health and illness which include the perceived cause and recourse play an \nimportant role in diagnosis and management of illness. Traditional and allopathic \nmedicines are used simultaneously and sometimes without the knowledge of the health \nprofessional and this has an impact on clinical outcomes. Overlooking patients’ \nsubjective experience, health providers’ biases and prejudice may pose a negative impact \non clinical outcomes. This study explores patients’, traditional healers’ and psychological \ncounselors’ perception of illness by conducting interviews and administering open-ended \nquestionnaires. The data is analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively through the use \nof content analysis and non-parametric statistical procedures. The results indicate that \nthe concept of illness is complex and multidimensional with physical and socio-spiritual \naspects. Effective management requires a joint approach between indigenous and western \nhealth systems. The results further show that traditional healers fully embrace the \nintegrated health approach while there is some skepticism and uncertainty from \npsychological counselors which could be stemming from their training. There is still \nwork to be done in terms of health planning and policy but also the training of health \nprofessionals.
Author: Siyabulela Felicia. Zondo
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1591211338