Asian Pathways of Healing: Language Policy and Use of Chinese Medicine in Singapore

Abstract

Despite the statistics revealed by the World Health Organization that one-fifth of the world’s population use traditional medicines, of which one of the most popular forms is Chinese Medicine (CM), the global dominance of Western medicine has created structural inequalities in medical systems that affect how patients enact their agency of using CM as a pathway of healing. This research studies on how the language policy created a communication gap between patients and practitioners in accessing their desired healing pathways in Singapore. This research draws on works adopting the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA), using qualitative research methods, conducting in-depth interviews with 25 CM physicians and 51 patients in Singapore between March 2015 and April 2016. Using the voices of CM physicians and CM users, this research proposes a grounded theoretical framework, which illustrates the interrelationship between factors that affected the legitimacy of CM. The legitimacy of CM is constituted as a result of policies (healthcare policy, language policy etc.), the professionalization of Western medicine and CM (registration and social status), and education in CM. This will hence shape the communication challenges, accessibility, and utilization of CM. It is important to allow the public enacting their agency in respect to their culture and belief. These results help the health policy makers reflect on their roles in providing a better medical system to the public. This research provides new insights for developing a more nuanced understanding of how patients and CM physicians are communicating their needs when seeking better health with their service providers. By engaging policy makers, the gaps can be plugged and communication can be made effective and efficient.