P N G Med J. 1985 Sep; 28(3): 211-6.

Traditional medicine: institutional perceptions and cultural realities.

Pataki-Schweizer KJ.

Strong interest has developed in the integration of traditional health practices with modern or Western health services, i.e. a fusion of "traditional medicine" and "modern medicine". Pervasive complications, both structural and functional, appear inherent yet not irresolvable in such a fusion. These difficulties are assessed, using examples from the Papua New Guinean situation, and some suggestions are made towards achieving integration of the two modes, with attention also to primary-level health care programmes.