Medicine: Eastern and Western Effects on Society

Perceptions of Medicine Health is the basis on which we survive. Without sound health it is difficult to prosper. Around the world, the health systems vary, but the main goal is to take care of the people so we can build a strong world. So far, only some nations have lived up to this and every country operates a bit different. The everyday person sees medicine as the cure for illness and most hold their health and personal hygiene to a great esteem, caring for themselves and trying to keep their families healthy. Health is believed to be a natural liberty in most nations. Most have systems in place to govern and sustain the health of the public. Many even require and offer health insurance and coverage to their people. In government, healthcare takes great importance. It directly affects the economy and nations continue to strive to improve it. Unhealthy people makes for an unhealthy system and unhealthy economy. See the video below:

Western Medicine In the United States, the health system is solely in compliance to laws of science. It is termed as ‘advanced medicine”. Through the use of technology and science, they have created a system of medicine in which chemical based pharmaceuticals and machine treatments are administered. The perception of the American Medical Association is that they are superior in medicine and have the most science to back it up. Over time, Western medicine has advanced at a rapid pace. They have come up with several cures to diseases that were once deadly. From the 1940s and 1950s hospitals have advanced greatly, serving the needs of childbirths and emergency situations.

Eastern Medicine Traditional Chinese medicine, also known as natural medicine shows a strength through preventing illness and treating as well as curing conditions through the use of natural materials Acupuncture is a practice used to treat a plethora of symptoms and promotes healing in the body. The basis of the traditional practice is treating the body as a whole and educating people on how emotions, toxins, and lifestyle habits affect wellness. In Traditional Chinese medicine, the body and mind are connected, so it is important for your health to have a sound mind. There are many different remedies used to treat common illnesses that don’t involve popping a pill for immediate relief. All work just as well, if not better.See Video:

Changes and Advances: The Contrast of East/West While the world of western medicine is always changing and finding new cures and discoveries, it is easy to assume that there has been room for error over the years. Pharmaceuticals, for example, have had histories of recall and side effects can be daunting. This science is a work in progress with human bodies as the test. Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, follows practices and uses materials that have been available to us for centuries. They have learned new ways to use these tools from nature and continue to expand. It is a science in itself. The incorporation of the Eastern medicine into the western medical world could quite possibly turn into a great form of medical practice. Both have their strengths and if binded, it would be strong.

Those Responsible For Our Wellness So who is responsible for our wellness? Number one answer should be, ourselves. Doctors/Specialists- Both doctors of Eastern and Western medicine go through extensive education and training to learn the anatomy and biology of the human body. The curriculum is of course focused from a different point, but both have the goal in mind of learning to manipulate the human body and read the signs of illness/ disease present. The best doctors are perceived as caring, gentle, wise and informative. A doctor should always be someone who puts their heart into their work and understands that nothing should be overlooked. Medical Staff- The medical world cannot function without the minor details of care and administrative work being handled. Even though medicine is about healing and helping people, there is a great deal of money and profit that goes hand in hand with it. The staff is needed to perform duties around doctors offices and hospitals. A warm and friendly staff at a place for healing (aka hospital) should be warm and hospital only to promote relaxation of the patient to maximize their healing.

Much Needed Improvement Focusing on the American pharmaceutical business, it is clear that things need improvement. These medicine companies make billions of dollars a year when they make their products and people become dependent on them. Instead of people believing they can take a pill and everything gets better, it would be a great advance in medicine to spread awareness of alternatives.

Only for Some... Health coverage plans are offered to citizens to guarantee them care in the event of illness or emergency. In developed countries health coverage, or insurance, is a huge priority. In some countries it is free and citizens have the right to it. In other countries people buy health insurance (ex. USA). Other countries that are not so developed suffer with little or no health care at all. North Korea is a prime example of a society with virtually no health care. It is the belief of the leader and the people to only use resources from their own empire, so technology is slim. This leaves a major gap in the health of the people. Here in the United States, we are blessed to have the health professionals we do.

Sociology of Medicine It is structurally functional to have a strong health care system. In the theory of structural functionalism society is one whole who has small parts working together. Medicine is one of the pieces that needs to function smoothly in order for the machine of society to run smoothly. Healthy people make a healthy community and a healthy nation. It all works full circle. Medicine will always play a huge role in society, it has since the beginning of time.

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