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Currently finishing one post-doc at the University of Toronto, and tentatively starting another (Sept 2000-May 2002) at McMaster University, Hamilton, teaching health care issues in East Asia and applied medical anthropology methods for reliable data collection in the field. This includes the teaching of a combination of ethnographic, qualitative & quantitative survey methods. I am also still working on research material from my 1998 China experience, and hope to have three more articles published within the year on this work. My work in the development field in both central America and central Africa have been highlighted by both anthropological training, and hands on experience, specifically, the rehabilitation of a hospital in Rwanda, and the development of a primate research centre in Costa Rica most recently.

All of these projects have required a strong cultural anthropological training, such as properly dealing with issues concerning delivery of care, the appropriate technologies to use for easy maintenance in the country implemented, and ways to accommodate differing cultural values and belief.

The skills of a medical anthropologist, or any good anthropologist for that matter, are far reaching. They stretch well beyond that of academic training. One should be familiar with mechanical issues which can and always do arise in the field (something as simple as changing a flat on a truck without a jack, or how to successfully wire a light fixture and switch). Further skills in clinical medicine should extend to the diagnosis of appropriate pharmaceuticals to use for different infections, and knowing the symptoms for common ailments of regions in which you work. Basic language proficiency is a must, and of course, the general knowledge of just about every cultural and ethnographic material of the region in which you are travelling. In today's computer age, a general understanding of computers, setting up internet protocols, manipulating just about any software on any platform is essential. Most importantly, knowing and being able to do things is only part of the battle: you have to be able to teach these skills to the people you meet and, therefore, leave something beneficial behind for that group or population!!

In a few words: how "health" is defined within a specific group or population, the social constructs and cultural factors affecting those definitions, and the categorizations of diseases (including both minor and major ailments) including their remedies/treatments.

Great question, as medical anthropology is an ever-growing field. There are current programmes in which medical anthropology is taught, under the auspices of different faculties, such as Harvard School of Medicine with its programme in International Health and Social Medicine, at UCLA, UNC-Chapel Hill, and there is a programme currently under-development at the University of Toronto. All of these programmes can and do fall into the categorization of Medical Anthropology, even though they are discussed differently. Medical Anthropologists have a formative and very functional role to play in these and other departments. Other areas evolving under the guise of medical anthropology include the health service and administration fields, health consultancy, social medicine, and of course anthropology and the social sciences. This field is truly in its infancy and has much growth potential in the future.

Think long and hard about what you want to do. Anthropology is not as exotic as it was once made out to be. The needs for social scientists are growing, especially in the realm of health care, but the main question you have to ask yourself is: What do I want to do in the long run? If you are clinically oriented then pursue that, likewise if you are research oriented, go in that direction. If you want to look at the theory of health care, or try to apply a post-modernist approach to health interpretations, take into consideration that there is already a significant amount of this material available, and in a purely applied perspective, it is somewhat useless. When in the field or dealing with people in real terms, all of that theory falls completely to the wayside. Learn anthropology: how to think, collect, interpret, analyse, report, and be compassionate. Anthropological theory has its place, but not in applied health care studies. Further, learn some skills. Be prepared to use any and all things you have learned since you started school, it is all applicable! Hands on skills, diplomacy and inter-personal skills, are all important!

When looking at a college/university and their programmes in anthropology make sure they have: 1) good faculty support, 2) a clinical or medical faculty on campus, or nearby, that could be of value, 3) reliable and easy to use library system, 4) work potential in the international and national domains (collaborative and inter-school), and 5) a system of financing (either through scholarships, TA'ships, or potential for on or off campus work). You have to think in the long term: Can I get a job when I am done? Theoretical pursuits in the social sciences generally do not supply many employment opportunities. Geographic interests of the department or university are of minor importance, as international travel is simple, and the internet has made correspondence and communications a non-issue. However, make sure someone, somewhere in the department you want to work in is interested in your geographic region. You will find that those with the most open minds in the university system will work with you on your projects in different locations than their own.

Two things: First and foremost, if you do research, make sure you publish. It helps you academically, and it is the least you can do for the people who contributed the information, both current and future generations. Secondly, don't just sit there and think about it! If this is the field you want to work in, and you are motivated, go and do it. Health issues affect everyone! If you can do one small part for even just a few people, by describing, enumerating, or simply acknowledging their health characteristics or beliefs, you have made a more significant contribution than you can imagine! Reporting that ailments, diseases, health problems, ant the differences between populations or regions is the job of the social scientist. In the health world, that would be the medical anthropologist. How to deal with these issues is a combined effort of the social scientist and the health care professionals. Therefore, as Medical Anthropologists, we actually play a very large role in the evolution of health and health care, despite historical opinion.