Profile of Curanderos: a Study of Mexican Folk Practitioners

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Abstract
Allied health practitioners, or doctor's assistants, are being increasingly utilised in modern Anglo medicine. It has been suggested that such practitioners could play an especially important role in minority communities. To investigate this possibility a study of curanderos (Mexican folk practitioners) was undertaken. A survey of the literature unearthed no references to personal interviews with curanderos. In this study, the first method for locating curanderos, questioning Mexican-American clinic patients about their health practices and practitioners, failed to provide successful leads to curanderos. A second approach, in which the author established a social relationship with the least Anglicised Mexican-Americans, identified 17 curanderos, of whom 14 were successfully interviewed. Demographic information, the curanderos' conception of illness and their role led to the develop ment of a composite profile, as well as to individual profiles. The findings suggest that at least some curanderos might be incorporated as allied health professionals in Anglo medical care. Possible ways to accomplish this and the benefits to be derived are discussed.

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