RUMS Review Vol. VIII Issue I - January 2023

iBSc Feature
iBSc Explainer:
Medical Anthropology
by Zoya Gul
Medical anthropology broadly entails
the study of how perceptions and
experiences of health are impacted
and shaped by a range of social,
cultural, political, historical and
economic variables. Through
anthropological intervention, health
practices, health care systems and
illness beliefs are carefully dissected
and examined through a socio-cultural
lens that is sensitive to the unique
norms and social histories of the
populations in which they present.
Medicine is understood as a site
where the hegemonic biomedical
discourse curtails discussion around
non-biological elements of disease
processes, with clinical spaces thus
functioning as environments where
existing power structures are
reproduced, rather than challenged.
Medical anthropology aims to disrupt
this attitude of biological reductionism
that underpins much of modern
medical practice— by urging clinicians
to recognise the complex
amalgamation of structural factors
that underlie disease formation, a
much more holistic portrait of illness
and patient bodies can be construed.
Why Study iBSc Medical
Anthropology?
With Medical Anthropology being less
science-based in comparison to the
remainder of the iBSc options, its
clinical applicability may not
immediately be apparent. However, in
a profession where close human
interaction in sensitive contexts often
takes centre-stage, a thorough
understanding of socio-cultural
shapings of illness beliefs is vital in
navigating the unique personal
boundaries of care. The tendency for
doctors to observe patients through a
strictly medical gaze runs the risk of
eliminating the agency of their patient,
reducing them to mere scientific
spectacle. This medical objectification
of patient bodies can exacerbate the
uneven power dynamic between
practitioner and patient, which can
heavily obstruct clinical
communication. A knowledge of
anthropological concepts can aid
clinicians in bridging this sociohierarchical
divide, resulting in
stronger doctor-patient relationships
wherein patient voices are valued as
equally as physician expertise.
Improved clinical outcomes can
emerge as a direct consequence of
such a framework.
Outside of a medical context, the iBSc
remains incredibly valuable. Medical
Anthropology can broaden horizons,
sharpen critical thinking ability, build
up confidence in articulating ideas,
and improve writing ability.
Course Structure
In Term 1, students undertake three
core modules (Anthropology for
Medical Students, Medical
Anthropology, and Introduction to
Social Anthropology). One of these
modules, which is also the dissertation
module (Anthropology for Medical
Students), continues into Term 2.
Students select four additional
modules of their choosing. Examples
of these modules include Evolutionary
Medicine, Anthropology of Social
Media, Anthropology of Religion and
Applied Medical Anthropology. It is
compulsory for students to take a total
of 120 credits and each module is
worth 15 credits, with the exception of
the dissertation module worth 30
credits.
The main assessment comprises of a
10,000 word dissertation. Each
module also sets their own summative
assessment, which usually takes the
form of an essay. These are weighed
alongside the dissertation mark in
accordance with their credit value to
determine a final grade. Formative
assessments for each module, usually
consisting of a short writing exercise
or essay plan, do not contribute to the
final grade but are useful for clarifying
ideas and gathering feedback on
writing.
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