Medical pluralism in world perspective [1]

Abstract

Starting from the observation of local medical systems, anthropologists cultivate an evenhanded view of medical pluralism, in contrast to the normative view that characterizes health professionals. From this perspective, the division of labor between different kinds of practice appears as a continuously negotiated compromise structure and cosmopolitan medical practices are seen to adapt to local cultures. Also, when the Chinese system is described as a comprehensive normative system, one suspects that its pluralistic structure has been neglected and that planners who want to encourage the utilization of traditional medicine in developing countries should learn more about the on-going nature of medical pluralism.