The Indian family and the diagnostician

Abstract

The article explores some of the pitfalls encountered by medical practitioners in therapeutic contact with the South African Indian Family. Despite the vicissitudes of urban life (in particular, education , industrialization and Westernization) the nuclear household comprising the traditional Indian joint family segments, does not lose the traditional close-kin network and bonding. Nevertheless, the anthropologis considers it vital for any medical practitioner administering therapy, to be aware of the socio-religio-cultural propensities of the patients, particularly when the society in question is exposed to acculturation.