Applied Approach:
The applied approach of medical anthropology focuses on the fact that there are anthropologists that study a particular issue for a patient/client of theirs. Medical anthropologists that specialize in the applied approach are used to create and study health programs and treatment plants in order to make them efficient and as optimal as they can be. Medical anthropologists using the applied approach study different theories. Anthropologists are now expanding their work in a process called globalization. Globalization is defined as those processes that are intensifying worldwide social relations and interdependence. (ANP Lecture 6.1). Because of the advancement in globalization and research towards creating better healthcare/programs, the illness of autism will benefit from applied anthropology.
When researching programs in the United States that benefit autistic children, I came across the Autism Health Insurance Project. The Autism Health Insurance Project assists in multiple aspects of a family's process to obtain insurance benefits for their child with the illness of autism. Services typically include, but are not limited to, preliminary appeals, insurance appeals, regulatory department appeals, Independent Medical Review preparation coding, as well as billing assistance. (Services). No families get pregnant and plan on having a child that is autistic. Research for the disease, as well as treatments, doctors visits, and different types of therapies for patients with autism can become extremely costly extremely quickly. The Autism Health Insurance Project is an organization that understands the struggle of families with autistic children and tries to help them find the treatment they deserve and assist them financially as well. The Autism Health Insurance Project also assists with insurance disputes. They work with employers and employees in self-funded plans to assist in the adoption of benefits that are supportive to autism-related interventions. (Services). I believe that this organization is beneficial in an anthropological aspect of the illness of autism as well. Many people think of autism and think of the social and physical hardships the patient will experience. Many do not think about the economical issues that arise from medical expenses as well as therapy costs. Many doctors also prescribe medications in order to better develop the brain and help with the anxiety, stress, and depression that autistic patients experience, many of which may not be covered by all insurances. It is important in the anthropological perspective to look at all of these factors when evaluating, understand, and treat the illness of autism. The pie chart to the right demonstrates the impact financially on families with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, most of which is a negative impact on the financial situation of the family. (Autism Speaks).
A medical anthropologist can offer more things than a doctor in some ways in relation to the illness of autism. Medical anthropologist look at the illness and treatment options that are best for the patient as well as other factors in the patient's life. For example, anthropologists consider culture, beliefs, social relationships, economic status, as well as other things when evaluating a patient. Some people go to the doctor and are only treated for the symptoms that they show, and not asked any personal questions about their lives. Anthropologists dig deeper into people's lives to get a better understanding of the illness the patient has and how it should be treated to provide the best outcome for the patient's life.
The applied approach of medical anthropology focuses on the fact that there are anthropologists that study a particular issue for a patient/client of theirs. Medical anthropologists that specialize in the applied approach are used to create and study health programs and treatment plants in order to make them efficient and as optimal as they can be. Medical anthropologists using the applied approach study different theories. Anthropologists are now expanding their work in a process called globalization. Globalization is defined as those processes that are intensifying worldwide social relations and interdependence. (ANP Lecture 6.1). Because of the advancement in globalization and research towards creating better healthcare/programs, the illness of autism will benefit from applied anthropology.
When researching programs in the United States that benefit autistic children, I came across the Autism Health Insurance Project. The Autism Health Insurance Project assists in multiple aspects of a family's process to obtain insurance benefits for their child with the illness of autism. Services typically include, but are not limited to, preliminary appeals, insurance appeals, regulatory department appeals, Independent Medical Review preparation coding, as well as billing assistance. (Services). No families get pregnant and plan on having a child that is autistic. Research for the disease, as well as treatments, doctors visits, and different types of therapies for patients with autism can become extremely costly extremely quickly. The Autism Health Insurance Project is an organization that understands the struggle of families with autistic children and tries to help them find the treatment they deserve and assist them financially as well. The Autism Health Insurance Project also assists with insurance disputes. They work with employers and employees in self-funded plans to assist in the adoption of benefits that are supportive to autism-related interventions. (Services). I believe that this organization is beneficial in an anthropological aspect of the illness of autism as well. Many people think of autism and think of the social and physical hardships the patient will experience. Many do not think about the economical issues that arise from medical expenses as well as therapy costs. Many doctors also prescribe medications in order to better develop the brain and help with the anxiety, stress, and depression that autistic patients experience, many of which may not be covered by all insurances. It is important in the anthropological perspective to look at all of these factors when evaluating, understand, and treat the illness of autism. The pie chart to the right demonstrates the impact financially on families with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, most of which is a negative impact on the financial situation of the family. (Autism Speaks).
A medical anthropologist can offer more things than a doctor in some ways in relation to the illness of autism. Medical anthropologist look at the illness and treatment options that are best for the patient as well as other factors in the patient's life. For example, anthropologists consider culture, beliefs, social relationships, economic status, as well as other things when evaluating a patient. Some people go to the doctor and are only treated for the symptoms that they show, and not asked any personal questions about their lives. Anthropologists dig deeper into people's lives to get a better understanding of the illness the patient has and how it should be treated to provide the best outcome for the patient's life.
This picture shows a medical anthropologist working with a patient to discuss their lifestyle, culture, and other factors to provide the best care for the patient.
Citations:
"Services HELPING YOUR CHILDREN GET THE COVERAGE THEY DESERVE." Services. Accessed August 14, 2014.
"What Is Autism?." Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism (accessed July 29, 2014).
Citations:
"Services HELPING YOUR CHILDREN GET THE COVERAGE THEY DESERVE." Services. Accessed August 14, 2014.
"What Is Autism?." Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism (accessed July 29, 2014).