How Should Allopathic Physicians Respond to Native American Patients Hesitant About Allopathic Medicine

Bibliographic Data

ID15746003
AuthorsMadison L Esposito (0000-0002-6995-6188, Harvard University, corresponding author), Michelle Kahn‐John (0000-0002-6220-715X, University of Arizona)
Year2020
Volume22
Issue10
PagesE837-844
Publication date2020-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe AMA Journal of Ethic (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2376-6980 • E-ISSN: 2376-6980
PublisherAmerican Medical Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1001/amajethics.2020.837
PMID33103644
OpenAlexW3093522177
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited2

American Indian (AI) and Indigenous peoples utilize traditional medicine/healing (TM/H) for health and well-being. Allopathic health care practitioners (HCPs) receive minimal training and education on TM/H and its application and integration into health care settings. Lack of knowledge and practice guidelines on how to navigate these 2 health care perspectives (allopathic and traditional) creates uncertainties in the treatment of AI and Indigenous peoples. Such conflicts can undermine patient autonomy and result in culturally incongruent practice. This article presents a case study showcasing suggestions for how HCPs can direct clinical decision making when working with AI/Indigenous patients who utilize TM/H. The article argues that health professions education institutions and HCPs must dedicate effort to expanding awareness of and education about TM/H to enhance the delivery of evidence-based and integrated clinical treatment for AI/Indigenous patients

Allopathic medicine · Alternative medicine · Autonomy · Family medicine · Health care · Indigenous · Medical education · Pathology · Political science · Traditional knowledge · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · Medicine · Nursing

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