Complementary Cancer Treatment at Wat Khampramong: Thai Traditional Healthcare

Abstract

The research documents the origin, practices and cultural format of Thai traditional healthcare in the Buddhist temple, Wat Khampramong, in Sakon Nakhon province and to study the cultural format of Thai traditional healthcare at that temple. The research is a qualitative study and the data analyzed through data triangulation method from data gathered from document analysis, field research data obtained from 25 research informants through the use of survey forms, interview forms, observation forms and from focus group discussions. The results found that the complementary healthcare treatment at Wat Khampramong consists of: 1. Modern medical treatment by licensed nurses who perform weekly blood samples of cancer patients, 2. Treatment by alternative methods, cancer treating herbal medicine, acupuncture and nutritional therapy, 3. Utilizing Buddhism principles through meditation, prayers, Chong Krom pacing therapy, Qigong aerobics, music and nature therapy and 4. Provide transfer service for critical patients to hospitals. The healthcare personnel at the temple include Phra Paponpatchara Jirathamo the abbot of Wat Khampramong working together with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and public health volunteers. The herbal medicine remedy for cancer treatment at the temple was created by Phra Paponpatchara Jirathamo during meditation in 2003. The complementary treatment at Wat Khampramong Temple provided opportunities for both the patient and their family to participate in religious activities at the temple and they also receive spiritual treatment which is an important factor affecting both the patients’ physical and mental fitness. The Buddhist prayers and sermons help create the proper and correct environment for patients in terminal situations and will lessen the impact of the fear of dying so that the patients are at peace. The complementary treatment also provides the patient with the strength to face the reality of death and live their final moments in peace and happiness.