This research explores the international evolution of the policy of integration (formalisation) of traditional medicine in health care systems. This concept first arose on the policy agenda of the World Health Organisation in the 1970s and then re-emerged in 2002 (with alternative and complementary medicines). The history of this policy at the global level and its transfer to national levels over this period is analysed, via the content, scope and outcomes of policy and programme documents. This analysis emphasises the roles of context and stakeholders (specifically interest groups). The context in terms of the economic, political and social environment surrounding the development of the policy is considered, and held to offer a potential explanation as to how and why the policy agenda on integration was set and the manner in which programmes were formulated and implemented. Interest group interaction (competition for resources) is concluded to play a key role in explaining the development of this policy on an international level, and its problematic transfer to national levels. A case study of Sri Lanka explores national level implementation in greater detail. An analytical framework to analyse the development and implementation of this policy has been created, from a synthesis of anthropological and political science tools. The combination of several theories into an analytical framework allows this policy issue to be understood as an intrinsically political exercise that has been stimulated by global social and economic forces. The analytical framework developed offers another tool for the analysis and consequent understanding of the health policy process and thus may have relevance beyond the health policy issue of integration. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/189142 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Foran, Brenda J., University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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