The Concepts of Health and Alternative Medicine: The View from Alternative Medicine Users
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Abstract
The objectives of this research were to explore the concept of health and the experiences in using alternative medicine from the perspective of people who used alternative medicines. The study method applied a qualitative study method using an in-depth interview with 10 respondents who were diverse in social, demographic, and occupational characteristics. Specifically, the informants were selected from people who have experiences in alternative medicine. The data was analyzed by content analysis.
The results showed that from the perspective of people who used alternative medicines regarding the health concept, health is as a comprehensive view in all dimensions, those are disease-free, the strength of immunity, happiness, and the ability to take care of themself. The definitions of health therefore do not have a fixed meaning, but are fluid and dynamic while the concept of alternative medicine is diverse both being non-mainstream medicine, the medicine with the inferior dignity, the holistic, integrative, and easily accessible medicine, the medicine that people decide to choose and able to negotiate. These findings reflect health in the post-modern era with a diverse set of discourses and the power in one's self to be able to take care of oneself.
This research suggestions for bringing alternative medicine discourses related to self-care ideology, self-health responsibility to push policies regarding strengthen communities in self-reliance of Thai traditional medicine and alternative medicine in a concrete way. In addition, it is needed to expand channels to promote the literacy of alternative medicine with supporting community-based organizations in organizing learning processes of alternative medicine.
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