Springall FJ, Escamilla OAC, Serrano PJ, Guevara SS

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 47-51
PDF size: 299.37 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: general surgery, traditionally focused on technical and biological rigor, faces the challenge of treating patients in increasingly diverse cultural contexts. The surgical act is not merely a physical intervention but a biocultural event that impacts the patient's identity and psyche. Objective: to analyze the contribution of medical anthropology to contemporary surgical practice and to propose the "integrative biocultural surgery" model. Material and methods: a narrative review and conceptual analysis of indexed scientific literature were conducted, integrating ethnographic, ethical, and clinical perspectives. Results: key findings indicate that understanding the operating room as a ritual space, addressing the cultural perception of pain, and adapting informed consent to multicultural contexts improve the doctor-patient relationship. Anthropology allows the surgeon to identify symbolic barriers that affect adherence and postoperative recovery. Conclusion: integrating anthropology into surgery optimizes both clinical and ethical outcomes. The surgery of the future must be technically precise yet anthropologically conscious to ensure truly comprehensive care.

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