There are several different ways to address a health problem. We assume that the best place to take our health problem is the doctor's office. For much of the world population or for anyone who lived 50 or hundred years ago, this was not an option.
We all are aware of what to expect when we present our health problem to our personal physician. They may prescribe medication or wish to conduct tests. They may refer us to a specialist or even admit us to the hospital.
A large proportion of the world population does not have a local doctor to visit. For these people, their most trusted authority might be grandma.
A stomach ache makes a very good example.
A person with a stomach ache that does not go away after a few days goes to their doctor. The doctor commonly orders a surgical procedure where a tube is placed down the patient's throat so that the doctor can look at the lining of the esophagus and stomach.
A person who lives in another part of the world does not have access to these procedures. They may or may not want to ask Granny for help, they probably already know what Granny is going to say.
She says :
" I saw you drinking all that beer last night. I told you not to drink all that beer and eat all that pizza. No wonder your stomach hurts!".
Granny does not order endoscopy or prescribe medication. Granny simply tells you what you did wrong that caused your stomach hurt.
These two different approaches come from disparate points of view. It is just as unrealistic to expect your physician to tell you why your stomach hurts as it is to expect granny to order medical tests.
26 Comments