‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda

The emergence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has introduced significant global challenges for healthcare systems, healthcare professionals and patients. This current climate creates an opportunity to learn from equitable health systems and move toward making fundamental changes to healthcare systems. Our...

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Main Authors: Jennifer Jackson, Carla Ferreira, Samantha Perry, Carla Ginn, Melissa Scott, Elke Jaibeeh Barah, Zahra Upal, Krista Phelps, Carol Mei, Haneul Woo, Megan Tung, Farida Gadimova, Alexandra Ewanyshyn, Twyla Ens
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2023-04-01
Series:BMJ Global Health
Online Access:https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/4/e011733.full
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author Jennifer Jackson
Carla Ferreira
Samantha Perry
Carla Ginn
Melissa Scott
Elke Jaibeeh Barah
Zahra Upal
Krista Phelps
Carol Mei
Haneul Woo
Megan Tung
Farida Gadimova
Alexandra Ewanyshyn
Twyla Ens
author_facet Jennifer Jackson
Carla Ferreira
Samantha Perry
Carla Ginn
Melissa Scott
Elke Jaibeeh Barah
Zahra Upal
Krista Phelps
Carol Mei
Haneul Woo
Megan Tung
Farida Gadimova
Alexandra Ewanyshyn
Twyla Ens
author_sort Jennifer Jackson
collection DOAJ
description The emergence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has introduced significant global challenges for healthcare systems, healthcare professionals and patients. This current climate creates an opportunity to learn from equitable health systems and move toward making fundamental changes to healthcare systems. Our ethnographic analysis of Wakanda’s healthcare system in Black Panther, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offers opportunities for system-level transformation across healthcare settings. We propose four healthcare system themes within the context of Wakandan identity: (1) technology as an instrument (blending bodies and technology, blending technology with tradition); (2) reimagining medication; (3) warfare and rehabilitation; and (4) preventative approaches to health (prioritising collective health, deprofessionalisation of healthcare services). The preceding themes represent core elements of Wakandan health systems that allow the people of Wakanda to thrive. Wakandans retain a strong identity and cultural traditions while embracing modern technologies. We found that effective upstream approaches to health for all are embedded in anti-colonial philosophies. Wakandans embrace innovation, embedding biomedical engineering and continuous improvement into care settings. For global health systems under strain, Wakanda’s health system identifies equitable possibilities for system change, reminding us that culturally relevant prevention strategies can both decrease pressure on health services and allow all people to thrive.
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series BMJ Global Health
spelling doaj-art-84b5f47670fa49e8b8f5bc526ff447f32025-02-01T08:25:15ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Global Health2059-79082023-04-018410.1136/bmjgh-2023-011733‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s WakandaJennifer Jackson0Carla Ferreira1Samantha Perry2Carla Ginn3Melissa Scott4Elke Jaibeeh Barah5Zahra Upal6Krista Phelps7Carol Mei8Haneul Woo9Megan Tung10Farida Gadimova11Alexandra Ewanyshyn12Twyla Ens13Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaSchool of Nursing, The University of British Columbia Faculty of Applied Science, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaAlberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada1 Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaFamily Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaFaculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Barah, Phelps, Mei, Woo, Tung, Gadimova, Ens, and Ginn, CanadaThe emergence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has introduced significant global challenges for healthcare systems, healthcare professionals and patients. This current climate creates an opportunity to learn from equitable health systems and move toward making fundamental changes to healthcare systems. Our ethnographic analysis of Wakanda’s healthcare system in Black Panther, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offers opportunities for system-level transformation across healthcare settings. We propose four healthcare system themes within the context of Wakandan identity: (1) technology as an instrument (blending bodies and technology, blending technology with tradition); (2) reimagining medication; (3) warfare and rehabilitation; and (4) preventative approaches to health (prioritising collective health, deprofessionalisation of healthcare services). The preceding themes represent core elements of Wakandan health systems that allow the people of Wakanda to thrive. Wakandans retain a strong identity and cultural traditions while embracing modern technologies. We found that effective upstream approaches to health for all are embedded in anti-colonial philosophies. Wakandans embrace innovation, embedding biomedical engineering and continuous improvement into care settings. For global health systems under strain, Wakanda’s health system identifies equitable possibilities for system change, reminding us that culturally relevant prevention strategies can both decrease pressure on health services and allow all people to thrive.https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/4/e011733.full
spellingShingle Jennifer Jackson
Carla Ferreira
Samantha Perry
Carla Ginn
Melissa Scott
Elke Jaibeeh Barah
Zahra Upal
Krista Phelps
Carol Mei
Haneul Woo
Megan Tung
Farida Gadimova
Alexandra Ewanyshyn
Twyla Ens
‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
BMJ Global Health
title ‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
title_full ‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
title_fullStr ‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
title_full_unstemmed ‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
title_short ‘Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved’: an ethnographic analysis of the health system in Black Panther’s Wakanda
title_sort just because something works doesn t mean it can t be improved an ethnographic analysis of the health system in black panther s wakanda
url https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/4/e011733.full
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