What is the Western scientific paradigm, and what are its implications for health care in the U.S.?

The westbound scientific prototype is a model for understanding how nature deeds and developing ways of overcoming problems (Jamison, 1994). For example, a affection which affects human beings, the exact cause and machine by which the complaint occurs is nailed down. There is a huge emphasis on seek and trials with analogy to occidental scientific picture. Newer ways of fragilitying the complaint identified by dint of mechanisms of cause of the disease be explored. In the Hesperian scientific ikon, education, professionalism and scientific thinking feature a very all-important(a) constituent to play (Jamison, 1994).Today the western scientific paradigms whitethorn be working successfully in various aras such(prenominal) as epidemiology by which the ways of causation of an infectious disease is understood and blind drunks of preventing, treating and diagnosing atomic number 18 determined. However, they do non work salutary for the management and prevention of chronic diseases as serene the mechanism of causation which is multi mannequin is still not understood. excessively, today stack atomic number 18 over-depending on the western remains of treat as a mean for obtaining a cure from various diseases and former(a) health problems (Longino, 1997).The Western scientific paradigm consists of 5 concepts including sagacity-body dualism, mechanical proportion, somatic reductionism, authorised regimen and specific causation of a disease. According to the first concept of mind-body dualism, both(prenominal) mind and body atomic number 18 cardinal separate entities which are considered different from a disease viewpoint. However, some(prenominal) forms of holistic treat consider these two entities as the similar and set out worked towards integrating their management. The mind whitethorn be involved with the body through psychological, neurological and even immunological doing (Wisneki, 2005).The second concept is of mec hanical analogy in which the body consists of 5 constitutions that are associated with one another. According to the third concept, physical reductionism is a mean of treating the cause of the disease and not managing any other contribute constituent. According to the concept of definitive regimen, for each(prenominal) condition a frozen of therapies are packed for which the patient should eliminate coincide for the doctor to perform (Longino, 1997). The western paradigm of medicine whitethorn develop both a good effect as well as a prejudicious effect over the health of the Americans.For example, the Western paradigm of medicine is very use equal to(p) in extending the lifespan over the pull through few decades. People are able to live longer. However, the look of life has not improved as chronic diseases and life style problems baffle a serious effect. With relation to management of these chronic diseases, the western paradigm has chosen a symptomatic commence rath er than a curative or a holistic approach. However, other systems of medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine have a different approach and manage the diseases in a more effective manner (Longino, 1997).2. What are some the problems associated with applying this paradigm in a culturally diverse society, such as the U. S.? The Western paradigm of medicine in the US is being applied to a culturally diverse society which includes elders, nonage groups (such as the Hispanics, Asians and the African-Americans), uninsured groups, etc. As it is being applied over such a vast society and having several(prenominal)(prenominal) negative points, the Western paradigm may in fact have a bad effect in several cases.For example, between the 20th and the 21st century, although the decrepit population in the US has change magnitude to 20 % from 4 %, and the above 85 years old group has increase 25 times, there seem to be no improvement over the quality of life for these age groups as still s ymptomatic management is utilized to treat diseases in these age groups (Longino, 1997). Currently, the American system is also very costly and several mortals from the lower-socioeconomic strata may find it very costly to manage any sort of treatment.Besides often treatment is given at an individual level, when in fact great advance to the community can be considered. The Western system of medicine strongly believes in invasive treatment rather than holistic system of managed in which several co-ordinated issues including the mind, body and other aspects are managed together along with greater emphasis on life-style changes. Many of the minority communities which may consider use of such holistic systems are often discouraged.They are set to suffer as the social, economic and common conditions in the US do not favor these minority communities. Although the Western paradigm considers prevention, emphasis is laid more on symptomatic treatment and not on curative treatment as it may be difficult to prove such therapies are effective and safe. Individuals from various communities have different levels of trust and confidence in the American health care system. However, most of the communities especially those from the minority and lower socioeconomic groups have to over-depend on the healthcare system.It is important that the healthcare system considers holistic management of the patient, greater emphasis on curative and enlistment treatment and sorting out lifestyle and diet issues (WHO 2000). 3. What alternatives to the Western paradigm have been proposed, and how might these be applied to a specific cultural group? Besides management of diseases in a picky community, it is important to consider holistic management, progress of health, and hitch strategies in various populations including minority communities.Minorities are more dependent on the American healthcare system collect to socioeconomic, access and political problems in the US. It is imp ortant to consider a holistic form of management for these communities. Indigenous methods of managing their health need to be considered. It is also important to query the methods of healthcare management of these communities in their infrastructure nation where they are able to buy the farm a much more adapted health status. With relation to any disorder, the mind would be having an effect, either demonstrating an effect or getting affected.Hence, mental factors need to be considered. Alternative and complementary forms of treatment such as physiotherapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, etc, need to be considered as they consider managing the patient as a whole and include preventive outlooks. Some forms of alternative medicine give room for the process of natural heal (in which the body would heal itself). Today the passel from the lower strata and the minorities are serious approach health problems in the US and are unable to use the system as the y are uninsured.Greater efforts need to be make to include these communities under health redress (Alves, 2007, WHO Kobe Center, 2000). References Alves, R. Et al (2007). Biodiversity, traditional medicine and earthly concern health where do they meet? ledger of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 3(14). http//www. pubmedcentral. nih. gov/articlerender. fcgi? artid=1847427 Jamison, A. (1994). Western science in linear perspective and the search for alternatives. In Salomon, J (Ed. ), The perplexing quest science, technology, and development. Tokyo, New York, Paris unify Nations University Press. http//www. unu. edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu09ue/uu09ue0f.htm Longino, C. F. (1997). Beyond the body an emerging medical examination paradigm as with so many a(prenominal) other aspects of American society, the baby exposit may be the catalytic factor that ultimately changes the way we treat our health. American Demographics. LookSmart Find Articles. http//findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m4 021/is_n12_v19/ai_20038498 Wesneki, L. (2005). The Scientific arse of Integrative Medicine, ECAM. http//ecam. oxfordjournals. org/cgi/reprint/neh079v1. pdf WHO (2000). Traditional Medicine. burst Science, Policy and Services for Health Development. http//www. cewm. med. ucla. edu/sources/who_kobe. pdf