Networks: Medical Anthropology Network

The applied medical anthropology special interest group is a subsection of the Medical Anthropology network. We enable networking between applied medical anthropologists and anthropologists involved in the special interest group convene workshops at EASA conferences. Applied medical anthropology might be loosely defined as anthropology that will have some effect on practice or behaviour relating to health, illness or health care. Of course, much medical anthropology can be described in these terms, and we welcome input from anybody who feels that their work is applied. If you would like to make suggestions about how this special interest group might operate, and are willing to contribute, then please contact Rachael Gooberman-Hill at the University of Bristol, UK.

Examples of current applied medical anthropology:
These are just a few examples of current applied medical anthropology in Europe . Click the links for further information.

The Durham Medical Anthropology Research Group in the UK includes a study led by Dr Andrew Russell using qualitative and ethnographic methods with the Smoke Free North East Office (SFNEO), the first tobacco control office in England . The research aims to describe and analyse the fluid and negotiated relationships between the SFNEO and its collaborating networks in the North East Region; to compare the SFNEO to tobacco control management in the other regions of England ; and to study public perceptions of smoking using in-depth qualitative methods.

The TRIL Centre (Technology Research for Independent Living) is supported by Intel and is based in Ireland . The TRIL centre is a multidisciplinary team of researchers from social, medical and engineering backgrounds working together to explore and develop technologies to support independent living. TRIL draws upon applied medical anthropology and is supported by an Ethnographic Research Unit that provides insight from the clinic to the home.

Research by anthropologists at the Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol includes several applied projects. For instance, one project examines the recruitment of participants to randomised controlled trials and the project team advise trial staff in the process of setting up trials and help prevent recruitment problems. Another project, the ‘Evidence Based Diagnosis Programme' includes exploration of diagnosis and test-ordering in a neurology clinic. Other research includes exploration of pain management for osteoarthritis and how treatment decisions are made.

At the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, University of Latvia Dr. A. Lūse leads a study “Overcoming stigmatizing stereotypes of mental disorders in Latvia : Integration of personal experience and everyday and professional knowledge”. Using qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation in psychiatric service users' organizations, the study aims to clarify sufferers' needs and interests as they are conceptualized and expressed by those people themselves. The study seeks to empower service users as research collaborators as well as users of research results.

The journal Anthropology in Action is a journal for Applied Anthropology in Policy and Practice. It often publishes articles relating to public health, health policy and practice.