Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents build local relationships with participants and stakeholders to translate evidence-based information to improve "economic, environmental, and social well-being" of Virginians. However, Extension agents have reported high rates of employee burnout and stress. To mitigate the impacts of agent stress and burn-out, application of mindfulness and yoga through health coaching is emergent, but the impact is yet to be empirically tested. To holistically evaluate the individual-level impacts (i.e., behavior) as well as the system impacts (i.e., costs and sustainability), this project tested the initial feasibility, cost, reach, and efficacy of a virtual health coaching program for VCE agents. The CHAT (Coaching for Health and Togetherness) program consisted of nine weekly, one-hour modules including goal setting, self-reflection, behavior change strategies, group yoga and grounding exercises as well as resources on Ayurveda (an ancient Indian system of medicine and sister science to yoga). The program facilitated group dynamics through relationship building, group goal setting, group distinctiveness, and support. The impacts of the coaching module were measured longitudinally (pre, post, and 3-month follow up) through previously validated scales in flourishing (i.e., complete human well-being), group cohesion, physical activity behaviors, and yoga self-efficacy. Additionally, qualitative data were collected at the 6-month follow up point through semi-structured interviews. Participants in CHAT reported increased flourishing scores from baseline to post-program, t(7)=4.42, p=0.003 with a medium effect size (d=0.53) as well as at the three-month follow-up, t(7)=3.06, p=0.018 with a small effect size (d=0.14). Participants significantly increased aerobic physical activity behaviors from pre-program to post program, X2(1, N=11) =7.21, p=0.007, as well as at the three-month follow up, X2(1, N=11) = 4.95, p=0.026. Participants did not show significant changes in yoga self-efficacy or group cohesion. Future implications of this project include sustainability and scalability of virtual group health coaching programs for behavior change. / Master of Science / Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents build local relationships with participants and stakeholders to translate evidence-based information to improve "economic, environmental, and social well-being" of Virginians. However, Extension agents have reported high rates of employee burnout and stress. To mitigate the impacts of agent stress and burn-out, application of mindfulness and yoga through health coaching is emergent, but the impact is yet to be empirically tested. To holistically evaluate the individual-level impacts (i.e., behavior) as well as the system impacts (i.e., costs and sustainability), this project tested the feasibility (initial implementation cost, reach) and efficacy of a virtual health coaching program for VCE agents. The CHAT (Coaching for Health and Togetherness) program consisted of nine weekly, one-hour modules including goal setting, self-reflection, behavior change strategies, group yoga and grounding exercises as well as resources on Ayurveda (an ancient Indian system of medicine and sister science to yoga). The program facilitated group dynamics through relationship building, group goal setting, group distinctiveness, and support. The impacts of the coaching module were measured longitudinally (pre, post, and 3-month follow up) through previously validated scales in flourishing (i.e., complete human well-being), group cohesion, physical activity behaviors, and yoga self-efficacy. Additionally, qualitative data were collected at the 6-month follow up point through semi-structured interviews. The results showed significant increases in participants' flourishing from pre-program to post-program as well as at the three-month follow up point, as well as significant changes in aerobic physical activity behaviors. Participants did not show significant changes in yoga self-efficacy, group cohesion from pre-program to post-program or at three-month follow up. Future implications of this project include sustainability and scalability of virtual group health coaching programs for behavior change.

This study explores the practice of alternative medicine among a group of senior, transnational Indian immigrants. I analyze how cross-cultural ideologies influence aging and immigrant experiences in healthcare. I explore the ways in which transnational networks nurture social relations and aid in acquiring healthcare resources. This study also examines the developments that alternative medicine underwent during the colonial rule and how those developments affected the trajectory of biomedicine. I focus on the practice of alternative medicine as a significant contributor to immigrant health. Finally, I argue that we need to strive for a symbiosis between alternative medicine and Western biomedicine based on multicultural sensibilities and socio-economic factors that call for a pluralistic medical system in a globalized world.

Complimentary and alternate medicine, especially Ayurveda is gaining popularity in United States. However, there are various barriers that people face in adopting Ayurvedic practices into their lives and making cultural, familial and societal changes to better their health. This research explores these relationships and barriers behind why some people adopt and are able/unable to sustain Ayurvedic practices in the presence of traditional bio-medicine.

Every day, India sees the addition of 5,000 new cases of diabetes to its current diabetic population of 65 million people. This number is projected to cross the 100 million mark in 15 years. The emerging pandemic scale of diabetes growth is straining India's already-overburdened public healthcare resources. India is home to several well-established native and adapted foreign traditions of medicine that are widely practiced. These traditions include Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homeopathy. The modern and traditional medicine approaches are extensively used as independent systems. The purpose of this qualitative research case study was to evaluate the use of an integrative approach to address the multiple challenges posed by diabetes in India. The research design for the case study was based on the theoretical framework of participatory action research. The research questions evaluated how the modern and traditional medicine systems can be jointly used to contain the spread, scale, and immensity of diabetes in India and examined the barriers and challenges in combining various systems of medicine. Data were collected from interviews with 30 modern and traditional medical practitioners and 6 policy makers identified through a stratified purposeful sampling process. The transcribed data were coded thematically and objectively analyzed. The trustworthiness of interpretations was bolstered with triangulation through records from notes and observations. In evaluating the feasibility of a synergistic and integrative approach, the study filled a gap in scholarly literature. The study contributes to social change by adding to the existing body of knowledge available to physicians and patients in preventing and containing the diabetes pandemic.

No description available.

This thesis deals theoretically and practically with the relationship between the physical, especially constitutional, characteristics and temperament. Constitutional approaches, especially theories of Ernst Kretschmer and Wiliam Sheldon, belong to the oldest approaches in psychology that link these two aspects and perceive them as two sides of the same coin. Holistic approach linking psychological and physical aspects of personality can be found also in non-European medical systems. One of the oldest medical teaching in the world is Ayurveda. It integrates physique and temperament and uses them for therapeutical purposes. The subject of the theoretical part was to present these theories, guidelines and other areas, that strived for interconnection of the physical and psychological aspects of human individual. In the practical part the goal was to empirically assess the substantiation of somatic types used in Kretschmer's theory and Ayurveda. The next goal was to focus on the relationship of selected physical aspects and temperament. For these purposes we used a questionnaire 4 Elements Inventory which applies the metaphor of elements, that appears also in Ayurveda. Further we created Questionnaire of Physical Characteristics that consists of three parts: the first part inquires about the...

My diploma thesis mainly deals with monitoring Ayurveda and description of this phenomena in specific situations and contexts. Ayurveda is understood as an entity based on the actor network theory and the symmetrical anthropology which has been constructed in a process of mutual relationships of actors alleging of various natures (material, social, discursive). The main focus is on the ways of setting and redefining of boundaries of Ayurveda as such which have been realized through identification of significant parts related to this process. It was decided to define the key actors as the Teacher, the Doctrine, the Ayurveda Institution, approaches to human body by alimentation, yoga and breath exercise and Ayurvedic medicines. Each chapter is dedicated to both elements and practices influencing these key actors and different ways of their realization. Ayurveda in its entirety is intervened by members of the community, canonical Ayurvedic texts, biomedicine, national and EUs legislative, climate, politics of Institution, individual daily routines and collective scope of interpretation. 1

No description available.

Kroniska sjukdomar ökar världen över, i både utvecklings- och industrialiserade länder. Mäniskor som lider av kroniska sjukdomar finner ofta den västerländska medicinen oförmögen att behandla deras sjukdommar, och vänder sig istället till traditionell, komplementär och alternativ medicin [TM/CAM]. TM/CAM har visat sig vara effektiv vid prevention och behandling av kroniska sjukdomar, varför det är av stort intresse att undersöka möjligheten för ökad integration av TM/CAM inom de nationella sjukvårdssystemen. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka de krafter som främjar respektive förhindrar kommunikation och samarbete mellan utövare av ayurveda, västerländsk och traditionell medicin, samt att se hur detta påverkar integrationen av de medicinska subsystemen på Sri Lanka. Fokus för studien är ett specifikt samarbetsprojekt, “The outcome oriented, evidence informed community health promotion program”, vars mål är att integrera ayurveda och västerländsk medicin inom primärvården. En kvalitativ studie genomfördes under tre månader på Sri Lanka med hjälp av semi-strukturerade intervjuer, deltagande observation samt analys av dokument. Paul Unschulds teori om strukturerad konkurrens, samarbete eller integration användes vid tolkningen av resultaten. Resultaten tyder på att den huvudsakliga formen för samexistens mellan ayurveda och västerländsk medicin på Sri Lanka är strukturerad konkurrens, medan samarbetsprojektet siktar mot att uppnå strukturerat samarbete. Det parallella politiska system som styr samexistenseen mellan ayurveda och västerländsk medicin tycks förhindra integration, medan en ökad professionalisering genom nationella regleringar skapar ökat samarbete och integration. Brist på kunskap om ayurveda bland medicinstudenter förhindrar samarbete. Samtidigt kan inflytandet från västerländsk medicin i den auyurvediska universitetsutbildningen till synes både främja och förhindra samarbete och integration. Genom att höja kompetensen omkring forskningsmetodik och hälsovårdsystem hos ayurvediska läkare kan samarbete främjas. Likaså är forskning utformad med hänsyn till ayurvediska grundprinciper samt närvaro av nyckelpersoner med kompetens inom både ayurveda och västerländsk medicin främjande faktorer för samarbete och integration. / Non-communicable diseases [NCDs] are increasing in both developing and developed countries. Western medicine is not able to offer satisfying solutions and treatments for people suffering from NCDs. TM/CAM have shown promise of effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of NCDs and many people now turn to TM/CAM. Hence it is of great interest to investigate the possibilities of increased integration of TM/CAM in national health care systems. This study was carried out in Sri Lanka, with the aim to investigate the main forces promoting and obstructing cooperation and communication between practitioners of Ayurvedic, Western and traditional medicine, in order to see how this affects integration of the medical subsystems. The focus of this qualitative study was the “Outcome oriented, evidence informed Ayurvedic Community Health Promotion Program”; a collaboration project aiming to integrate Ayurveda and Western medicine in primary health care. Semi-structured interviews, participatory observation and document analysis were carried out during three months in Sri Lanka and the results were analysed using Paul Unschuld’s theory on structured competition, cooperation or integration. The results indicate that the overall coexistence of Ayurveda and Western medicine in Sri Lanka is structured competition, while the collaboration project is aiming for structured cooperation. The results further show that the Sri Lankan parallel political approach to integration can be argued to obstruct integration, while the regulation of Ayurvedic practitioners increases cooperation through professionalization. Education is a main influencing factor for cooperation; lack of CAM-knowledge in medical students obstructs cooperation while westernization of Ayurvedic doctors both promotes and obstructs cooperation and integration. Capacity building, research based on Ayurvedic fundamentals and keypersons with knowledge of both sectors are of importance for increased cooperation and integration to come about.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by 2012 there were 15.4 million refugees and 28.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to flee their homes due to war or violent conflict across the globe. Upon arrival in their host settings, forced migrants struggle with acute health and material needs, as well as issues related to identity, politics, power and place. The Karen ethnic minority of Burma (also known as Myanmar) has been involved in a prolonged civil conflict with the Burmese military government for nearly six decades. This fighting has resulted in massive internal displacement and refugee flight, and although a ceasefire was signed in 2012, continued violence has been reported. This study among the displaced Karen population along the Thai-Burma border examines the relationships between traditional – or indigenous – medicine, the population's health needs, and the broader social and political context. Research was conducted using an ethnographic case-study approach among 170 participants along the Thai-Burma border between 2003 and 2011. Research findings document the rapid evolution and formalisation of the Karen traditional medical system. Findings show how the evolutionary process was influenced by social needs, an existing base medical knowledge among traditional health practitioners, and a dynamic social and political environment. Evidence suggests that that Karen traditional medicine practitioners, under the leadership of the Karen National Union (KNU) Department of Health and Welfare, are serving neglected and culturally-specific health needs among border populations. Moreover, this research also provides evidence that Karen authorities are revitalising their traditional medicine, as part of a larger effort to strengthen their social infrastructure including the Karen self-determination movement. In particular, these Karen authorities are focused on building a sustainable health infrastructure that can serve Karen State in the long term. From the perspectives of both refugee health and development studies, the revival of Karen traditional medicine within a refugee and IDP setting represents an adaptive response by otherwise medically under-served populations. This case offers a model of healthcare self-sufficiency that breaks with the dependency relationships characteristic of most conventional refugee and IDP health services. And, through the mobilisation of tradition for contemporary needs, it offers a dimension of cultural continuity in a context where discontinuity and loss of culture are hallmarks of the forced migration experience.