Why the study?
Chronic sickness such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia is increasing in Chinese society, with the greatest damage occurring in rural areas where medical facilities are limited and patients present late.
Recreating a holistic perspective combining biomedical and traditional therapies could enhance the quality of life for chronic sickness sufferers in rural China.
May explain late hypertension presentation in rural China; challenges universality of Parsons’s sick role.
Chinese society is entering a ‘period of chronic sickness’, especially hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, resulting from a more easily available diet rich in animal fat and protein. The damage is greatest in rural areas where medical and welfare facilities are limited and patients present late, which they justify as needing to continue farming despite sickness. Thus, contrary to Parsons’s observation regarding Western medical treatment, a patient’s sick role is neither ‘deviant’ nor separated from their everyday social role and lifestyle. Villagers might however be officially encouraged to regard biomedical, religious and traditional folk therapies as neither old-fashioned nor in conflict, but as a spectrum providing emotional/psychological and sometimes physical benefit, reinforced by returning to the greater community and family care existing before village social fragmentation. This recreation of a holistic perspective could enhance the quality of rural life, especially of chronic sickness sufferers.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zheng et al. (2019) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: