A study of illness referral in a Spanish-speaking community

In an anthropologic study of illness referral among Latin-American immigrants three phases were ascertained: First, there was extended use of self-treatment. Second, referrals were made to the social network, particularly to people from the same country of origin. Finally, referrals to the professional network were made to professionals with the same cultural heritage. Latin-American immigrant families living in a cooperative were studied over a 14-month period, utilizing the method of participant observation, a family health calendar, and interviews. This report focuses on the results of the family health calendar. Most illnesses reported by families did not go beyond self-treatment. Cultural influences including language, social network, priorities of daily living were related to the alternatives selected by families when illness incidents occurred.