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In the classroom, it is also a good idea to explore with health workers the steps
involved in a scientific approach to solving problems. The group can compare how
this scientific method differs from the traditional approaches to problem solving
they have observed or practiced in their own communities.
In this chapter, we will look at ways of helping people with limited schooling to
understand the process and purpose of scientific method. Once again, our job is to
relate learning to familiar experiences.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD-
A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING
A careful, step-by-step approach is essential to the accurate diagnosis and
treatment of different illnesses. It is also useful for analyzing and dealing with other
problems in a community.
To take a scientific approach, the health worker needs to start by asking
searching questions rather than by jumping to quick answers. At first this
may be difficult or confusing for a person whose experience has been mainly
in traditional or folk medicine. Herb doctors and traditional healers generally
depend on faith, magic, and the power of suggestion as a large part of their
curative art. People’s belief in the instant knowledge of the healer may be as
important to their cure as the herbs or medication used. For this reason, the
healer tries to show that he or she has immediate understanding of the illness,
its cause, and its treatment.
But while the traditional healer tries to be certain about the illness from the
first, the scientific healer starts with uncertainty or doubt about the nature
of the illness.
Traditional approach:
START BY KNOWING
Scientific approach:
START BY NOT KNOWING
Part of the art of TRADITIONAL
HEALING is to be certain about what
the illness is and what to do about it.
This gives the sick person and his family
strength and confidence that can help
overcome the illness.
Part of the skill of SCIENTIFIC HEALING
is always to have doubt about what the
illness is. Through questions and step-
by-step search, the healer tries to find
the most likely cause and most effective
treatment.