Potential for Intercultural Conflict 13
TABLE TWO
Comparison of Ethnomedical Models of Health Care:
Biomedicine and Holistic Medicine
Biomedical Model
Holistic Model
General Orientation
Based on biologic theory which
seeks to explain causes,
pathophysiology, and course of
disease; oriented toward crisis
intervention and pathology
Holistic view takes into account
the interaction of a number of
interpenetrated influences on
health: oriented toward
prevention and health
maintenance
What causes disease/illness?
Disease is caused by invasion of an
external pathogen
Illness results from physiological,
relational, environmental,
psychological, energetic, spiritual,
nutritional, and/or seasonal
imbalance(s)
Who do we see when sick?
A (biomedical) general
practitioner and/or a specialist
Any number of health
practitioners (simultaneously)
depending on dimension(s) of
health affected at the time
How is illness diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on common
patterns of symptoms and
laboratory/diagnostic tests
Diagnosis is multifactorial and
multilevel based on individual’s
unique pattern of symptoms and
personal interpretations
How is illness treated?
Treatment plans are standardized
and administered by the
physician
Treatment plans are personalized
and incorporate client’s goals
What are typical
treatments?
Reliance on drugs and surgery to
eliminate disease or symptoms
Package of care typical, including
non-invasive treatments, natural
remedies and lifestyle changes to
eliminate causes of illness
Who has power in the
relationship?
Dr. / Pt. relationships range from
authoritarian to cooperative;
patient compliance expected
Holistic practitioners expect clients
to actively participate in
diagnosing, preventing, and
eliminating illness; complete client
compliance not expected
What is considered
“healthy?”
Level of health is calculated by
testing against a standard or norm
Health is a process defined in
subjective experiential terms;
including feelings of well-being,
attitude, a sense of purpose and
spiritual development, which
cannot be objectively observed,
measured, or tested
Sources:
Gillick, 1985; Lupton, 1994a; McKee, 1988; Micozzi, 1996; Patel, 1987; Schreiber, 1999, 2002; Watkins,
1996; Weil, 1995; Zollman & Vickers, 1999
Convention