RFI: Research on medicine in developing countries
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My name is Brett Anderson. I am a freshman at Yale University and am
currently doing research for a course on development. I am exploring
western medicine in developing nations, particularly in Africa, and
am questioning where one draws the line between assistance and impo-
sition. I have read many of the things posted on this sight and they
have been of great assistance, but I still have many questions that
have been left unanswered. Since this is a very current topic, it
seems the published research on the subject is somewhat limited and
none of the doctors, anthropologists, or sociologists that I have
written to have responded. I was wondering if any of you might either
have time to set up a phone appointment for an interview or if you
could simply answer some of my questions via e-mail on this sight. I
am looking for anyone who has had experience in the health field in
Africa and who could comment on any of the following topics:
1) The influence of western medicine as both a negative and positive
factor. More specifically, in what ways is it filling a gap that tra-
ditional medicine could not/does not fill? And in what ways is it
taking over those roles that traditional medicine used to play?
2) What effect is this having on culture and the views of the people?
In what ways is this detrimental? In what ways is this necessary?
What are people's reactions?
3) The training of doctors/health professionals in Africa. To what
extent is this successful? What problems are arising as educated peo-
ple move out of rural areas...and in many cases out of Africa. Is
this, in fact, even a problem? And if so, how?
If you had any thoughts that you could share, research you have done,
or insight as to where I might look for information, I would greatly
appreciate it, especially if you had any specific cases to sight from
your own experience/research.
Thank you,
Brett Anderson
mailto:Brett.Anderson@yale.edu
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