L’anthropologie au cœur de la médicine

Abstract

L’anthropologie et la médecine ont des points communs, mais ont longtemps eu du mal à collaborer. Craintes, incompréhensions et stéréotypes réciproques doivent être dépassés par une anthropologie qui étudie les pratiques et les savoirs de la médecine moderne, tels qu’ils s’élaborent, au quotidien. L’anthropologie dialoguera avec la médecine, sans la juger. La médecine ouvrira de son côté ses lieux de soins et d’enseignement au regard de l’anthropologue. Cette anthropologie introduite au coeur de la médecine montre que les parcours et les attentes des profes sionnels de santé sont le reflet d’un système de santé. Enfin, comme toute anthropologie, elle doit en permanence poser un regard critique sur ses propres démarches méthodologiques et éthiques.

Anthropology and medicine share many concerns, but have had trouble collaborating in the past. The anthropologist has had to plead both with his colleagues and physicians to move beyond a « culturalist » vision that would confine him to the study of traditional or alternative medicines and representations of populations and the sick. The anthropologist’s approach perceived as intrusive has also raised fears in the medical world. These reciprocal misunderstandings and stereotypes need to be overcome by an anthropology that studies the practices and knowledge of modern medicine as they are elaborated daily. Anthropology will dialogue with medicine without judging it. In its turn, medicine will open its sites of healing and teaching to the anthropologist. Anthropology at the heart of medicine is organized around the idea that the paths and expectations of health professionals reflect the specicifities of the local system of health. The individual dimensions of practices cannot be divorced from the functioning of structures of health and decision. Finally, like any other kind of anthropology, medical anthropology must scrutinize its own methods and ethics in a critical way.