Karen A. Callaghan

Systems Theory and the Family: A Critique.

In this paper systems theory is criticized as outlining an inappropriate model of the family. Because of the basic tenets of this philosophy, family life is conceived abstractly and reified. Although the systems approach is currently gaining popularity among practitioners, the authors contend this viewpoint must be overcome. Instead of a system the family should be conceived as a matrix of interlocking experiences. In this way, socially sensitive family interventions can be instituted.

Group Maturity in a Community-Based Project

Community-based projects have become popular as a method to address various community problems. Specifically important is that community members take an active role in these interventions resulting in sustainable social change. Although considerable literature exists on the dynamics of small group interaction, this article addresses how group processes differ in community-based projects. Instead of constructing a static model for group interaction, this discussion focuses on experiences from a recent community-based health project on the island of Grenada. Because community-based projects are directed by a diverse group of community members, maturity is described as a process of negotiation rather than consensus.

Economic Culture and Service Delivery

The current perception held by many persons about health care has been affected by a neo-liberal economic philosophy. This outlook, however, is built on a premise that is treated as passé by much of contemporary philosophy. A new economic viewpoint—based on community solidarity—that changes how health care is conceptualized and evaluated is gaining some credibility. In this article, this shift is examined, and more detailed plans are called for to rethink health care along the lines suggested by this new, more community-oriented model.

The Ecological Model, Holism, and Socially Sensitive Counseling

The ecological viewpoint represents a great advance over prior models for conceptualizing social institutions, such as the family. Because this approach is holistic and non-reductionistic, socially...

Community Mapping Tells an Important Story

The Alma-Ata (1978) and Ottawa (1986) conferences, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), are considered watershed moments in the primary health-care movement. Since 1978, governments, medical professionals, and other practitioners have been challenged to provide “Health for All.” This simple slogan represents profound shifts in assumptions about health, illness, delivery modalities, and the relationships and status of patients and care providers. Succinctly, health care for all is considered possible only through a holistic view of health and a participatory, community-based orientation. Furthermore, poor health is considered to be the outcome of policies and practices that create unequal access to care and basic resources (Kickbusch 2003).

What Is Dialogue

World entry is necessary for narrative medicine to function. A world, as already noted, is neither simply a place nor a collection of persons or objects. As is described in Chap. 1, a world is an opening, a creation, the product of personal and collective action. Word and world are inextricably united. This lifeworld is an interpersonal invention that is maintained, additionally, through further action. For example, these worlds are not static but shift according to intention and mood (Charmaz 1991). As a product of human invention, or storylines, entree to this domain holds the key to understanding correctly illness or any other human behavior.

Narrative medicine and community-based health care and planning

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Introduction: Narratives, Local Knowledge, and World Entry

price are net prices, subject to local VAT. Prices indicated with * include VAT for books; the €(D) includes 7% for Germany, the €(A) includes 10% for Austria. Prices indicated with ** include VAT for electronic products; 19% for Germany, 20% for Austria. All prices exclusive of carriage charges. Prices and other details are subject to change without notice. All errors and omissions excepted. J.W. Murphy, B. Franz, J.M. Choi, K.A. Callaghan Narrative Medicine and Community-Based Health Care and Planning

Community and Narratives

The basic premise of this book is that not only is narrative medicine important, but the nature of health services is changed due to this development. How these programs are planned, developed, and evaluated is altered significantly. A fundamental shift in philosophy is made with respect to how patients and communities view their problems and judge interventions. Polkinghorne and others talk about this change as a “narrative turn” (Polkinghorne 1988; Morris 2000). Especially significant is that local knowledge is elevated in importance.

The Politics of Storytelling

The Western intellectual tradition has been basically dualistic (Livingston and Cutrofello 2015). What this term means in this context is that the acquisition of knowledge involved the pursuit of external truths divorced categorically from opinion. Plato inaugurated this trend with his discussion of ideas (1989). God and natural laws are also a part of this project. In the end, however, only these absolutes were characterized as representing reliable information.