Medical Choice and Decision Making in San Ignacio, Belize

I was awarded an Undergraduate Research Grant by Northwestern University to conduct independent research for my senior thesis in anthropology. I used the grant to spend nine weeks in San Ignacio, Belize doing ethnographic interviews with residents about their experiences navigating health care options in a pluralistic context. The majority of my research participants grew up with simultaneous exposure to Western biomedical and traditional Mayan medicine. My thesis largely focused on how they navigate between these two paradigms when making health care decisions. I gained insight into the importance of not assuming "perfect use" behaviors in public health interventions or use of pharmaceuticals in an international/immigrant context.

MEDICAL CHOICE AND DECISION MAKING IN SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE

FUNDER

Northwestern University Undergraduate Research Grant

YEAR

2010-2011

ABOUT

I was awarded a grant to conduct independent research for my senior thesis in anthropology. I used the grant to spend nine weeks in San Ignacio, Belize doing ethnographic interviews with residents about their experiences navigating health care options in a pluralistic context. The majority of my research participants grew up with simultaneous exposure to Western biomedical and traditional Mayan medicine. My thesis largely focused on how they navigate between these two paradigms when making health care decisions. I gained insight into the importance of not assuming "perfect use" behaviors in public health interventions or use of pharmaceuticals in an international/immigrant context.