Lay Summary

This study examines diverse social thoughts of medical doctors focused on well-being among ethnoracially minoritized populations and offers the future possibilities of this discipline. Despite the prevalence of public health research, the integration of sociomedical thoughts has been left behind, thus this study presents key ideas for this theorization.

Background

Social thoughts of medical doctors have not been investigated because of the marginal position between medicine and sociology. Empirical studies are becoming prevalent in public health: this presenter conducted a structural equation model and thematic narrative analysis and found a longitudinal relationship between being discriminated against and the likelihood of frequent marijuana use among ethnoracially minoritized youth. Nonetheless, a foundational theory for health research is still absent. In Social Epidemiology, Nancy Krieger appeals for a comprehensive theory concerning discrimination and health. This study draws a linkage of diverse thoughts and shows a path to an integrative theory.

Methods

In this theoretical study, the social thoughts in the writings of key medical doctors are interpreted in relation to sociocultural situations.

Results

The theoretical examination illustrates an unbiased and relational perspective shared by medical doctors about humans. The draft for a culturally responsive societal therapy is also proposed. First, Shoeki Ando and José Rizal’s thoughts are examined. In the eighteenth-century feudal Japan, Ando developed an ecological thought including gender equality. In the late nineteenth century during Spanish colonialism, a Filipino doctor, Rizal, diagnosed the social psychiatry of the colonized by discussing “the demon of comparisons” and appealed for cultural emancipation. Rizal’s thoughts may have influenced Frantz Fanon. Next, the socioecological thoughts of four psychiatrists are synthesized into a culturally responsive societal therapy for patients from ethnoracially minoritized groups. First, the relational human development theory of Henri Wallon constitutes the foundation for this alternative therapy. Second, the divided self thesis of Ronald Laing helps the patients grasp their culturally oppressed and traumatized self-concept. Third, the confirmation-based ecological therapy of Masatake Morita promotes the process of recovering their mental fortitude frayed by social suffering. Fourth, Fanon’s culturally liberating philosophy suggests a way to achieve self-liberation and a constructive social life. Writing Black Skin, White Masks was an implosive therapy for Fanon himself. In brief, culturally responsive societal therapy has three steps: recovery of frayed emotions, confirmati

Conclusion

Historically, medical doctors have produced humanistic social thoughts. This innovativeness is explained by three conditions: up-to-date scientific knowledge, experiences of communicating with patients from diverse sociocultural backgrounds, and the morality of saving a life. The medical doctors discussed in this study shared the idea that there are social factors behind each individual’s sickness. The culturally responsive societal therapy draft will help implement culturally inclusive therapy. In conclusion, this study will aid in establishing an integrative theory of culturally responsive social medicine.