Using the literary folkloristic method to understand why people refuse medical interventions

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health and Medicine
• Medical Anthropology
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Biomedicine, the dominant Western medical model, views disease as internal and manageable through intervention.
• This model inadequately addresses societal/cultural influences on health behaviors, labeling non-compliant patients as problematic.
• A broader approach is needed to understand diverse experiences impacting health decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the literary folkloristic method as a tool for understanding patient refusal of medical interventions.
• To explore why individuals decline disease-preventing medical advice.

Main Methods:

• Employs a literary folkloristic approach.
• Analyzes narratives of high-risk women who refused risk-reducing surgery.
• Focuses on contextualized personal experiences.

Main Results:

• The literary folkloristic method illuminated reasons behind refusal of conventional medical interventions.
• Patient understandings of cancer risks differed significantly from dominant medical discourse.
• These contrasting perceptions led to the rejection of potentially life-saving surgeries.

Conclusions:

• The literary folkloristic method amplifies marginalized voices within the healthcare system.
• This approach offers alternative perspectives on phenomena like patient non-adherence.
• Healthcare providers should consider patient viewpoints for effective support strategies.