Social Development and Public Governance > Indigenous Peoples and Community Development > Indigenous Peoples
Best Practices in Intercultural Health
By Carlos César Perafán, John O' Neill , Judith Barlett, Javier Mignone (06/07, En, Es)
The practice of integrating western and traditional medicines is fast becoming an accepted and ever more widely used approach in health care systems throughout the world. However, recent debates about the development of intercultural health approaches have raised significant concerns regarding regulation, efficacy, intellectual property rights, lack of cross-cultural research, access and affordability, as well as protection of sacred indigenous plants and knowledge.
In this study, intercultural health is understood essentially as practices in health and health care that bridge indigenous medicine and western medicine, where both are considered as complementary. The basic premises are mutual respect, equal recognition of knowledge, willingness to interact, and flexibility to change as a result of these interactions. Intercultural health takes place at different levels, including at the level of the family, practitioner, health center, hospital, and health system. A best practice in health care needs: demonstrate a tangible and positive impact on the individuals and population served; be sustainable; be responsive and relevant to patient and community health needs as well as to cultural and environmental realities; be focused on the client, including issues of gender and social inclusion; improve access, and coordinate and integrate services; be efficient and flexible; demonstrate leadership; be innovative; show potential for replication, and identify health and policy needs; and have the capacity for evaluation.
The five case studies selected for research were in Chile (Makewe Pelale Hospital and Boroa Health Center, Temuco), Colombia (CRIC/AIC/IPS, Cauca), Ecuador (Jambi Huasi, Otavalo), Guatemala (Comadronas Association, Kaslen Foundation and Health Center, Comalapa), and Suriname (Medical Mission and Amazon Conservation Team clinics, Kwamalasamutu and Pëlele Tëpu).
This study was informed by multiple data sources, namely the case studies of intercultural health models in each of the five countries and structured and semi-structured interviews, both of which were designed in collaboration with indigenous leaders/local consultants and national consultants. Along with extensive literature reviews, detailed observational notes of fieldwork activities were made, numerous local documents were collected, and quantitative data was also gathered. The wide array of research participants, including indigenous community members, government officials, western and traditional health care providers, and NGO staff, helped ensure an in-depth contextualization of the social, cultural, organizational, and political factors impacting the complex issue of intercultural health.
Last updated: 06/27/07
