| This qualitative study explores the perceptions of older Mexican American women regarding curanderismo (traditions of folk medicine) and its relevance when used in conjunction with Western medicine. Over a 3-year period, a platica methodology was utilized to conduct in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 10 Mexican American women over age 50 who utilized both systems of health care. Identified by the constant comparison method, major themes include the holistic nature of curanderismo, the importance of spirituality, cultural illnesses, bias against curanderismo, the narrow focus of Western medicine and barriers to its use, and the importance of components of both health care systems. Recommendations provided for social work practice include the need to find ways to increase the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of folk healing systems that affect their clients, and the need for allocating resources and promoting increased education on curanderismo and other indigenous care systems. |
