module 5 health belief, healing trad

8/7/2019 Module 5 Health Belief, Healing Trad.

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Traditional Healing

Traditional healing speaks to psychological andphysiological processes but adds an element ofmetaphysics and spirituality as well.

The term traditional implies static or past

oriented. While the knowledge from past experts is vital

healing the term unfortunately doesn't highlight thenew emerging forms of Aboriginal healing.

Thus, some prefer the term Aboriginal Healing Aboriginal healing and traditional healing will be

used interchangeably

Waldram et al., 2006


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Traditional Healing

Re-emergence in healing traditions-1980sonward

Significant losses of traditional healingknowledge and fewer healers than in the past

Part of the legacy of colonialism, epidemicdiseases, and government policies on

assimilation. Not all was lost-many traditions hidden from

non-Aboriginal society and law enforcement.



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Traditional Healing

It has become common to see Healers in

health centers undertaking a ceremony for a

patient.

It is important to remember that just like

physicians Healers have specialties.



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Healing Circles havebecome common in

Western Canada. Therapeutic sessions that

deal with problems suchas the effects ofresidential schools,abuse, alcoholism.

Sweat lodges have alsobeen revitalized.

Used to treat a variety ofmental and physicalproblems.

Traditional

Healing


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Traditional

Healing

Under the current non-insured health benefitsprogram of health Canada,

the federal government willcover the cost of travelassociated with bringing apatient to a healer or ahealer to the patient.

Conditions: The healer is recognized by

the local Band, tribalcouncil, or healthprofessional.

The healer is located in theClients region

A licensed physician hasconfirmed the client has amedical problem.



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Herbal MedicineFrom sore throat to Chronic disease

Is used for a wide array ofreasons

Efficacy Employing validation measuresof biomedicine is often notencouraged.

Often requires the removal ofthe treatment from its propercultural context and evaluationusing standards other thanthose for which the treatmentwas derived.



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Herbal MedicineFrom sore throat to Chronic disease

Research partnership is becoming more common.

New territory

Intellectual property rights

Cree healers working with researchers to examineherbal remedies for use in hypertension.

CIHR has funded a research team to look at anti-diabetic plants in northern Quebec.



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Traditional Healing

Some Aboriginal people feel that their

medicine is a gift from the Creator and as a

result there is no need to prove its efficacy

according to scientific principals.

Some also belief this knowledge is sacred and

secret and therefore not to be subjected to

inquiry or broadcast outside of a select group.



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Medical Pluralism

The practice of utilizing the medical services of more than one medicalsystem.

Many Aboriginal patients have access to biomedical services andalternative or complementary modalities (chiropractics, acupuncture), in

addition to their own healing system.

In some cases the patient does not share that they are seeking otherforms of care for various reasons.

Many Physicians do not inquire wither the patient is using alternative

treatments; many do not even inquire if home management has beenattempted.

Miscommunication can lead to a negative interaction of treatments.



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Discussion

Would you feel comfortable asking a patient

about traditional healing practices?

How would you go about asking this question? Are their risks to asking these types of

questions?

Who would you ask these questions to?


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Aboriginal Healing in the City

Those who utilize Aboriginalhealing in the city are oftenthose who have higher levels ofcultural continuity such as

language One study (Waldram, 1990)

looked at access to Aboriginalhealing in Saskatoon. Only a small fraction of

respondents knew a healer inthe city.

60% said they would like to see ahealer in a clinic.



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Health Beliefs

Not all illness is bad. It is often sent to helppeople revaluate their lives (Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada).

Treatment may be successful even when thepatient dies.

Aboriginal healing seems less concerned withprolonging life than with improving the quality oflife, both in this world and the next.



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The role of family

The western / European concept of nuclear family is in sharpcontrast with Aboriginal perspectives of family. Often includes strong relationships with a large network of

relatives who would be considered extended family in westernEuropean terms.

Their is often a community and family role in parenting. Mom, Dad, Auntie, Uncle, Kokum, Mushum...

Example- Health care staff surprised when a mom let her toddler wonderaround the health center unattended. She assumed that staff would assist

in the supervision of the child as they do in her home community.

Often family and community needs are placed above personalneeds. An example of this in health care?

Smylie et al., 2001


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Holistic health

Aboriginal concepts of health and healing startfrom the position that all the elements of life andliving are interdependent (RCAP).

Wellbeing flows from balance and harmonyamong all elements of personal and collective life(RCAP).

The concept of the circle is a fundamental theme

common to many Aboriginal cultures.

Rather than viewing an object independently it isperceived as part of an interrelated sequence.

Smylie, 2001


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Worldview is inspired by nature,

the cycle represents the life cycleof humans, animals, plants,seasons, qualities of being.

All can be overlaid forming a richconceptual framework throughwhich you can interpret theworld.

As in nature they cycle needsbalance, or problems arise suchas illness or famine.

Holistic

Health


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Medicine Wheel

Children

Youth

Adults

Elders

Wisdom and Logic

Trust and Innocence

Illumination

& Enlightening

Introspection,

& Insight

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Mental

Physical

Emotional

Spiritual

Activity:

Write or draw a reflection

based on the medicine

wheel of howMedical

School has affected

(positively or negatively)

the balance of these

elements or the knowledge

you have about them.


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Differences

Between

Aboriginal and

WesternMainstream

Culture

Aboriginal Human Resource

Council, 2007

Food For

Thought

module 5 health belief, healing trad

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