How to Speak Postmodern: Medicine, Illness, and Cultural Change

The document critiques the traditional biomedical model of medicine, advocating for a "biocultural model" that incorporates both biological and cultural factors in understanding illness. It discusses the rise of consumer capitalism in healthcare and the shift in control over illness narratives from doctors to patients. The author, David B. Morris, emphasizes the importance of considering cultural forces such as stress, diet, and environmental toxins, and the role of empathy and healing in medicine. The text explores the concept of healing in palliative care, the reordering of the biomedical hierarchy, and the commercialization of healing practices. It also considers the future of medicine, suggesting a potential shift towards a more holistic approach that values community well-being and cultural care improvements. The document calls for a medical profession that recognizes the complexities of illness and is committed to equitable, high-quality care.