Status and Direction of Research on Indigenous Wisdom for Health

Abstract

Indigenous or local wisdom for health (LWH) is a cultural aspect for health care and treatment among multi-ethnic groups in Thai society. LWH is the art and science crystallized from observation, application, selection, filtration, and accumulation from previous to current generations. LWH reflects the thinking system, belief, and means to take care of life and health based on Eastern ways. LWH is a simple and appropriate technology. It enables Thai people to access, utilize and rely on themselves. The objectives of this research are (1) to summarize and analyze the status of research on LWH during the period from 1992 to 2004 and (2) to synthesize the overall situation and propose the direction of future research into LWH. Documentary research during the period from 1992 to 2004 were used. There are three categories including (1) research on LWH related to folk culture, (2) research on LWH related to secular folk, and (3) research on LWH related to religious and healing rites.

The study found that there were 155 items in the literature related to LWH classified in relation to: (a) folk culture (38), (b) secular folk (79), and (c) religious and healing rites (38). The majority of the literature comprised qualitative research, followed by survey research, experimental research, and action research. Most studies are dissertations, theses and research from educational institutes. Knowledge of the social sciences is mainly used for conducting research. It was also found that, during the last 10 years, medical anthropology and medical ethnography were frequently used for such studies.

Overall, there is a limited number of items in the LWH literature; the research in this area lacks a framework and research direction; morever, the extent of study is not well defined. There is also no supporting system for LWH research and a lack of mechanisms for knowledge management to benefit from research to be used in policy or operational levels. The recommendation related to future LWH research is to establish an effective support system, a mechanism to utilize research, and a way to communicate the research results on LWH to the public. Research on LWH should start with medical anthropology and medical ethnography followed by other research fields which can be studied in parallel, or further exploration is needed to gain more knowledge and understanding about LWH in several dimensions. The integration of research and development on LWH will help assist the utilization of research results at the policy and operational levels.