摘要: The term ‘culture’ although popular in Indian lay health terminology, remains alien to psychiatric vocabulary the country. Its usage is primarily as an epidemiological variable within Social Psychiatry. This chapter argues that for ‘cultural sensitivity’ a rural context, be relevant and effective both professionals patients, it necessary re-examine cultural identities of mental themselves, their clinical encounters with patients. also examines how clinicians could find practical ways engaging her patient. Through discussion what culture, emerging theory anthropology, recent developments field formulations, together case vignette suggest alternatives enhance outcome traditional doctor-patient encounters, proposes avenues offer theoretical value patients professionals. has been extracted from notes ethnographic enquiries conducted by authors contemporary settings northern India.