Healthcare the Ayurvedic way. 


Author: Jayasundar R.

Affiliation: Department of NMR, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029 INDIA e-mail:ramajayasundar@hotmail.com. 
Conference/Journal: Indian J Med Ethics.
Date published: 2012 Jul-Sep
Other:
 Volume ID: 9   ,  Issue ID: 3   ,  Pages: 177-9   ,  Word Count: 165  
    

Ayurveda, the indigenous medical system of India, has integrated the concept of interconnectedness into its understanding of health and disease. It considers the human body as an indivisible whole with a network of interrelated functions, mind and consciousness, wherein a disturbance in one part will have repercussions in other parts as well. The key to health is for these factors to maintain stability since disease is seen as a perturbation in this network. Ayurvedic treatment aims not only at removal of disease, but also at the restoration of the equilibrium of bodily functions. The centuries-old science of Ayurveda, apart from being a holistic form of medicine, also clearly defines the student-teacher and doctor-patient relationship. It sets high ethical standards of professional and personal integrity for the doctor, teacher and student. In addition to being technically skilled and well-read in the science, practitioners of Ayurveda must be compassionate and empathetic. Students of Ayurveda are taught the importance of compassionate caring for patients and maintaining personal integrity.