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Of informal practitioners of biomedicine. The interplay of medicine, economy and society in India

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  • Sujatha, V.

Abstract

Instead of diminishing with the spectacular advancement of medical expertise in the country , unqualified biomedical practice in India has been strengthened by the growth of the pharmaceutical production in the twenty first century. In public health discourse, the view that the informal health practitioners have to be punished and abolished has been countered by the recommendation that they could be trained and incorporated in primary health care where public health amenities are inadequate. The quality of care provided by the informal health care practitioners has also been subject to clinical assessment based on standardized patient vignettes. Based on a sociological approach, this paper examines the time line of chronically ill patients under lived conditions to arrive at an understanding of the role of informal health practitioners in long term treatment and highlights the setbacks.

Suggested Citation

  • Sujatha, V., 2023. "Of informal practitioners of biomedicine. The interplay of medicine, economy and society in India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:317:y:2023:i:c:s027795362200870x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115564
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George, Asha & Iyer, Aditi, 2013. "Unfree markets: Socially embedded informal health providers in northern Karnataka, India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 297-304.
    2. Rao, Krishna D. & Sundararaman, T. & Bhatnagar, Aarushi & Gupta, Garima & Kokho, Puni & Jain, Kamlesh, 2013. "Which doctor for primary health care? Quality of care and non-physician clinicians in India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 30-34.
    3. Das, Jishnu & Daniels, Benjamin & Ashok, Monisha & Shim, Eun-Young & Muralidharan, Karthik, 2022. "Two Indias: The structure of primary health care markets in rural Indian villages with implications for policy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    4. Cross, Jamie & MacGregor, Hayley Nan, 2010. "Knowledge, legitimacy and economic practice in informal markets for medicine: A critical review of research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(9), pages 1593-1600, November.
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