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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper provides an overview of articles that address the significance of belief and ritual in the healing process. This paper outlines the elements that impact the healing process, including the placebo effect. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_JHPlac.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
more acceptable to both patient and physician in todays arena of modern medicine. The treatment of patients has progressed through the years from a treatment primarily based solely on
the indications of the medical examination by the treating physician to a total involvement in their individual treatment by the patient. Readily available knowledge about medicine and diseases has increased
the public awareness of medical treatment options. Prescription drugs are no longer the only choice for care. Modern medicine is now more focused than ever before on the healing
properties of biomedical care which includes symbolic healing, ritualistic healing, and the effects of placebos. Previous disregard of the uncertainty of medicine
may have been prompted by the cultural and traditional ideas of the doctor/patient relationship (Katz, 1984). People seek the help of medical professionals when they experience pain. Pain
is different for different individuals and for different groups of people. The only criterion for pain is a conscious mind (Morris, 1997). A severe wound or damage to the
bodys tissue is not enough to create pain. This was demonstrated by the study of battlefield injuries sustained by soldiers in World War II (Morris, 1997). If the conscious mind
does not register the injury, then the pain is not perceived or at the very least, is not as severe. Pain is therefore subjective. No stimulus is needed to
trigger the feeling of pain. Many amputees actually feel what is known as phantom pain in a limb - arm or leg - which is no longer there (Morris,
1997). When a patients attention is diverted or an anesthetic is administered, there is no longer pain. Pain is directly
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