The proposed research explores the ways in which principles of holistic medicine are integrated into traditional biomedical settings, and describes the way in which the integrated practice of medicine is operationalized on a daily basis in a clinical environment. Then two fundamentally different systems based on contrasting theories of disease etiology merge into a single clinical setting, physicians in that practice are challenged to integrate their traditional biomedical training with oftentimes opposing aspects of holistic medicine. This ethnographic research investigates medical pluralism, or multiple forms of health care, in the U.S. medical community through a focus on the allopathically trained physicians? creation of treatment rationales that integrate a holistic perspective. In addition, through the analysis of discourse, the intended research will illuminate the etiological and epistemological foundations of the practice of holistic medicine within the boundaries of the larger biomedical system The research will result in the description of a clinical environment that integrates biomedical and holistic medicine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31AT000642-01
Application #
6340186
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-H (07))
Program Officer
Pearson, Nancy
Project Start
2001-07-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$24,878
Indirect Cost
Name
Wayne State University
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Detroit
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48202