Veronica Baruffati | : Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC (original) (raw)

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Papers by Veronica Baruffati

Social Science & Medicine, 1989

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing 'medicalisation' of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent 'popular' medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or 'integration' among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is conditioned by the population's behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.

Bulletin of Latin American Research, 1984

their needs. At the same time technological, cultural and economic dependence dictates that Third... more their needs. At the same time technological, cultural and economic dependence dictates that Third World countries frequently adopt policies developed in advanced capitalist economies, regardless of their relevance to, impact on or acceptability for the population on whom they are imposed. Ecuador, in the Andean region of South America, is no exception, par? ticularly in the field of health. Health models are imported from North America and perceived as appropriate for the Ecuadorian population. Needless to say they meet with very little success, especially in those remote rural areas where different indigenous groups still practice their own traditional systems of medicine. These very systems are treated a priori with scorn and disdain by professional medical circles, even when little is known about them. Indeed many policy makers have only received one compulsory year of training in rural areas. Modern obstetric practices, in particular, have made little attempt to consider the needs of indigenous groups throughout the country. Little is known in official sectors about traditional obstetrical practices yet they are strongly criticized. This paper is concerned with one aspect of the traditional medicine system, the obstetrical practices surrounding the various stages ofthe reproductive cycle as practiced by the Canelos Quichua women living in agricultural communities along the Rio Bobonaza in the eastern province of Pastaza, a tropical rain forest area adjoining the border with Peru,1 In describing the manner in which these practices are not only accepted by the community, but wholly integrated into the lives of its members, the purpose is to show policy makers, who often categorically discard traditional obstetrical practices as harmful, the value of practices such as these. For only when recognition of indigenous practices occurs, and rural community health services are designed in a more appropriate manner to meet the needs of indigenous populations, will local women no longer refuse to use them.

Social Science & Medicine, 1985

In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultur... more In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultures in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, beginning with an overview of terminology and definitions related to 'medicine' and 'medical systems'. A short look is taken at original medicine cultures and at how they syncretised with colonial European medicine to give birth to a mosaic of lay and traditional medicine practices still in evidence in the New World today. A review is then made of the latest and main bibliographic sources in traditional medicine for the region, which are then analysed briefly. The main body of the paper deals with the different research approaches to traditional medicine cultures of which seven are discussed here. The authors conclude by stressing the need for closing the gap between the social and medical sciences in order to reach a better understanding of the health needs of the population. Biology and culture are at the centre of the discussion between medicine and anthropology where two trends dominate, viz. the socio-cultural and the biomedical models. The main task for ethnomedical researchers in the Latin American region is to work towards the creation of a bio-sociocultural model in an attempt to enrich systems qualitatively in the development of more humane and efficient interventions, both in the clinical field as in the field of health policies and strategies.

Social Science & Medicine, 1989

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing 'medicalisation' of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent 'popular' medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or 'integration' among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is conditioned by the population's behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.

Bulletin of Latin American Research, 1984

Social Science & Medicine, 1985

In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultur... more In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultures in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, beginning with an overview of terminology and definitions related to 'medicine' and 'medical systems'. A short look is taken at original medicine cultures and at how they syncretised with colonial European medicine to give birth to a mosaic of lay and traditional medicine practices still in evidence in the New World today. A review is then made of the latest and main bibliographic sources in traditional medicine for the region, which are then analysed briefly. The main body of the paper deals with the different research approaches to traditional medicine cultures of which seven are discussed here. The authors conclude by stressing the need for closing the gap between the social and medical sciences in order to reach a better understanding of the health needs of the population. Biology and culture are at the centre of the discussion between medicine and anthropology where two trends dominate, viz. the socio-cultural and the biomedical models. The main task for ethnomedical researchers in the Latin American region is to work towards the creation of a bio-sociocultural model in an attempt to enrich systems qualitatively in the development of more humane and efficient interventions, both in the clinical field as in the field of health policies and strategies.

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing ‘medicalisation’ of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent ‘popular’ medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and
in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or ‘integration’ among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is
conditioned by the population’s behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.

Social Science & Medicine, 1989

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing 'medicalisation' of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent 'popular' medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or 'integration' among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is conditioned by the population's behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.

Bulletin of Latin American Research, 1984

their needs. At the same time technological, cultural and economic dependence dictates that Third... more their needs. At the same time technological, cultural and economic dependence dictates that Third World countries frequently adopt policies developed in advanced capitalist economies, regardless of their relevance to, impact on or acceptability for the population on whom they are imposed. Ecuador, in the Andean region of South America, is no exception, par? ticularly in the field of health. Health models are imported from North America and perceived as appropriate for the Ecuadorian population. Needless to say they meet with very little success, especially in those remote rural areas where different indigenous groups still practice their own traditional systems of medicine. These very systems are treated a priori with scorn and disdain by professional medical circles, even when little is known about them. Indeed many policy makers have only received one compulsory year of training in rural areas. Modern obstetric practices, in particular, have made little attempt to consider the needs of indigenous groups throughout the country. Little is known in official sectors about traditional obstetrical practices yet they are strongly criticized. This paper is concerned with one aspect of the traditional medicine system, the obstetrical practices surrounding the various stages ofthe reproductive cycle as practiced by the Canelos Quichua women living in agricultural communities along the Rio Bobonaza in the eastern province of Pastaza, a tropical rain forest area adjoining the border with Peru,1 In describing the manner in which these practices are not only accepted by the community, but wholly integrated into the lives of its members, the purpose is to show policy makers, who often categorically discard traditional obstetrical practices as harmful, the value of practices such as these. For only when recognition of indigenous practices occurs, and rural community health services are designed in a more appropriate manner to meet the needs of indigenous populations, will local women no longer refuse to use them.

Social Science & Medicine, 1985

In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultur... more In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultures in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, beginning with an overview of terminology and definitions related to 'medicine' and 'medical systems'. A short look is taken at original medicine cultures and at how they syncretised with colonial European medicine to give birth to a mosaic of lay and traditional medicine practices still in evidence in the New World today. A review is then made of the latest and main bibliographic sources in traditional medicine for the region, which are then analysed briefly. The main body of the paper deals with the different research approaches to traditional medicine cultures of which seven are discussed here. The authors conclude by stressing the need for closing the gap between the social and medical sciences in order to reach a better understanding of the health needs of the population. Biology and culture are at the centre of the discussion between medicine and anthropology where two trends dominate, viz. the socio-cultural and the biomedical models. The main task for ethnomedical researchers in the Latin American region is to work towards the creation of a bio-sociocultural model in an attempt to enrich systems qualitatively in the development of more humane and efficient interventions, both in the clinical field as in the field of health policies and strategies.

Social Science & Medicine, 1989

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing 'medicalisation' of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent 'popular' medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or 'integration' among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is conditioned by the population's behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.

Bulletin of Latin American Research, 1984

Social Science & Medicine, 1985

In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultur... more In this article, the authors summarise the origins and development of traditional medicine cultures in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, beginning with an overview of terminology and definitions related to 'medicine' and 'medical systems'. A short look is taken at original medicine cultures and at how they syncretised with colonial European medicine to give birth to a mosaic of lay and traditional medicine practices still in evidence in the New World today. A review is then made of the latest and main bibliographic sources in traditional medicine for the region, which are then analysed briefly. The main body of the paper deals with the different research approaches to traditional medicine cultures of which seven are discussed here. The authors conclude by stressing the need for closing the gap between the social and medical sciences in order to reach a better understanding of the health needs of the population. Biology and culture are at the centre of the discussion between medicine and anthropology where two trends dominate, viz. the socio-cultural and the biomedical models. The main task for ethnomedical researchers in the Latin American region is to work towards the creation of a bio-sociocultural model in an attempt to enrich systems qualitatively in the development of more humane and efficient interventions, both in the clinical field as in the field of health policies and strategies.

This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and t... more This article provides the basic elements for the discussion and analysis of medical systems and their inter-dependency, with special reference to Latin America and, in particular, to the Andean countries. In a culturally diverse and socially stratified population, such as in contemporary Latin America, medical systems constitute a social representation resulting from the historical relationship between autochtonous medical cultures and those from other latitudes. The impregnation of scientific and popular knowledge results not only in the incorporation (and often expropriation) of folk in professional or scientific medicine, but also in the increasing ‘medicalisation’ of popular and traditional therapeutic practices. The emergent ‘popular’ medical system draws from both the professional and folk models, and
in its actual practice, integrates both popular beliefs and materia medica with elements drawn from popular religions and pre-Hispanic deities. The degree of competitiveness, co-operation or ‘integration’ among medical systems depends mainly on the asymmetrical distribution of power and resources, and is
conditioned by the population’s behaviour in the management of disease. Existing pluralist systems of health care reveal a valuable array of survival strategies, which far outreach the proposals for integration called for by official sectors. On the other hand, knowledge derived from traditional medicine can contribute to the development of new models of clinical practice and to the expansion of the conventional epidemiological model.