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ERIC Number: EJ692362
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 19
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0739-9863
EISSN: N/A
Medical Pluralism in the Life of a Mexican Immigrant Woman
Belliard, Juan Carlos; Ramirez-Johnson, Johnny
Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, v27 n3 p267-285 2005
This case study reflects on the variety of approaches to health care in a pluralistic immigrant urban enclave in Southern California. In-depth interviews were conducted with a Mexican immigrant woman to explore and understand her health worldview and the strategies she uses in deciding among the diverse health care options available to protect and maintain her familys health. Kleinmans typology of health sectors (professional, folk, and popular) is applied to the popular healing practices of the key informant and her own health-seeking behaviors. These expose the conflict between a professional community that relies on categories and binary comparisons and the existence of multiple, simultaneous health care sectors. This case study highlights the paradoxical world of health and illness in a pluralistic medical setting and how those who reside in an environment where medical syncretism exists apparently see their options very differently from their professional health care providers.
Sage Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-583-2665 (Toll Free).
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A