Transformation and MD-Centrism in Dr. Weil's Policy Book
Written by John Weeks
Transformation and MD-Centrism in Dr. Weil's Policy Book
Compelling policy book with shortcomings as a catalyst for organizing
[Published in full here at Integrative Practitioner.com] In his most recent book, Why Our Health Matters: A
Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future, author and
integrative medicine leader Andrew Weil, MD calls for a “radical
change” in US health care.
Weil shifts his focus from the two passions that have shaped his
work: transforming personal health practices and changing US medical
education. Here Weil’s ambitious eye is trained on the gold ring of
transforming healthcare itself. Weil presents his “argument that
integrative medicine is the key to solving the healthcare crisis.” He
enjoins “leaders of this new medicine to make people aware of the facts
presented (in the book) and motivate them to join us in working for
real reform."
Unfortunately, Weil’s success in engaging the leaders on whom such a
grassroots movement rests may be limited by the MD-centrism and
protectionism in the otherwise compelling vision in Why Our Health Matters.More