Anthropology

I have been reading a lot about medical anthropology of late-especially this idea that while anthropology in itself is an academic pursuit, an anthropological perspective to medicine and public health is extremely practical and useful. I have learned a lot about this practice from Paul Farmer's works and his experience in Haiti, but it also applies to my work this year in San Francisco.

Two examples come to mind: One is the understanding of punk rock culture and its influence on a number of our homeless and chronically drug-addicted patients. The second is the influence of the gay rights movement, and gay subcultures in San Francisco, on patients that engage in sexual activities that put them at high risk for HIV infection.

While I am sure books have been written on these subjects, I think it is important to understand how these social and cultural movements influence the health, life, and identities of our patients.

You cannot do motivational interviewing with a Punk Rocker if you don't know what Punk Rock is all about (I still have a lot to learn). It is difficult to do effective harm reduction counseling with a gay man that doesn't use condoms if you don't at least bring up ideas of sexual liberation and the history of HIV in the San Francisco gay community.

You have to talk about peoples identities, and how those identities relate to their health and well being. I believe the study of anthropology helps you do this.