Sociology of Health - Assignment Example

Sociology of Health Explain Parson's sick role Ans. In 1950 Talcott Parsons designed a model which concerned the sociology of medical. This model consisted of a concept about the role of sick. He described as to how a sick role can be differed to that of illness. He distinguished his theory with that of the biological model which states that illness is an involuntary failure or an invasion by microbiological parasites while he himself described the sick role as being a transitory, medically endorsed type of abnormal behavior. He compared the role of a sick to sociological factors and described a sick person as being sick because of societal duties. A person accepts sickness willingly was the perception put in by Parsons Theory. 2. Outline the differences between the Medical and Social models of health and illness Ans. Health and illness are an important part of an individual's life. If both health and illness are viewed from a sociological perspective then it can be said that a body which breaks down should necessarily be repaired. Medical systems are required to systematize work around birth, disease, decay and death. Thus a person who is ill requires immediate programs to restore his health. Medical methods are necessary to organize one individual even when he is comes in this world. Illness and health are directly related to the social norms in this society. Illness is still excessively found in the lower classes of this society. This is because these classes are not provided with adequate health facilities on the right time. This shows the difference between the model of health and illness as the model of health clearly illustrates that one should be given adequate medical treatment faced by the problem of illness. However this is not possible because of the sociological factors which are involved in this concept. These factors include how one individual lives and what age group does he belong to. It can be concluded that in order to practically apply the model of health it is necessary that all the problems encountered should be solved first. 3. Examine the key findings of the Black Report Ans. The Black Report was a research taken out in Britain in the 1980s to find out the issues about health and society. It gave an overview about the health social inequalities based on use of occupation as an indicator of social class. It analyzed the records of health of different people who belonged to different classes. All these results were analyzed according to the categories designed by the Registrar. The report concluded the over all issues of health in the UK. It stated that the health of the nation had improved over all but there was a difference of mortality among the classes. The individuals who belonged to the lower class were more vulnerable to diseases than the individuals who belonged to the upper class. It showed that the health standards descended as the class of people was lowered. The report clearly illustrated that all these health problems were related to the social factors such as low income, unemployment and poor living standards. The awareness factor was also pointed out in the report as many people were not aware of different diseases which were being a cause of their death. The Black Report pointed out the basic factors which affected the overall health standards in the UK and desired a change in the overall system of the UK. 4. Explain how the doctor / patient relationship influences the health of the patient Ans. There are contrary views on the doctor patient relationship in this world. Some doctors are of the view that if they get close to their patients then they are not able to properly treat their patients. However on the other hand it can be said that a good doctor patient relationship can lead to the recovery of the patient in an early time. This relationship is of a great influence to the patient's health behavior. Research has been done in order to find about the relationship between a doctor and a patient. A research conducted in Texas adopted the way of distributing questionnaires among different patients in the state. These questionnaires were then analyzed properly to find out about the relationship. This research concluded that faith and dedication by the physician can lead to a positive relationship between him and the patient. This can help the patient to eat at regular intervals and have a healthy timetable which would help in curing the patient. If the relationship among them is a close one then the physician can be able to understand the exact problem of the patient and thus this can help the physician to diagnose the problem accordingly. However on the other hand the patient can be sure about his doctor and will act according to what the doctor has prescribed to him. Similarly this patient doctor relationship has also been proved on physiological grounds. It has been proved that if a person feels that he is being properly cared then the amount of stress hormones released by him would be lowered. This shows that the relationship between a doctor and the patient has great influences. 5. Evaluate ways in which the medical profession exercises social power Ans. The profession of medical has been of immense importance to this world from its birth. The physicians are the ones who provide individuals with proper treatment and care which they require. However these professionals have to keep their boundaries when it comes to society. In the recent years the physicians have greatly worked in maintaining the societal rules. Health is a profession which can help in maintaining and regulating social control. Health individuals these days work for the betterment of the society. As these health individuals are aware of all the hazards done by a particular activity they can guide other people as to how certain things should be avoided. These health individuals are the ones who create awareness among people as to why a certain thing should be evaded. They describe their personal experiences and tell people the ways to cease a certain activity. To create awareness the medical professionals these days are organizing special seminars and programs which provide people with the necessary information they want. For e.g. seminars arranged to stop people from smoking. Similarly these professionals are guiding individuals to get rid of a certain disease. These individuals have also set up rehabilitation centers to provide people with the necessary help. Nowadays the health professional are using the means of advertising to inform people about the hazards of different activities. Advertising is considered to be of a great influence to the people these days. These centers help people to get rid of the addictions they have. This shows that the medical professionals are playing an important role in influencing the social controls in this society. 6. Examine in detail the medical profession's contribution to ill health Ans. Professions are identified to have the control to preserve society and to be able of supplying the basic services for citizens who are unqualified to assess such positions. To give service to society, knowledge is needed. To become well aware of a profession, a person needs to have technical knowledge and must specialize in the particular field, which normal people do not acquire. The way in which a particular profession helps the society enhances the status of that profession. Medical profession is the one which aids helpless, ill, disable, psychologically sick and injured people. Health is the blessing of God and nothing is important than a person's health. Ill health causes a number of problems in a person's social, financial and economic life. A person in a bad health may not be able to fulfill the desires and requirements of life. Medical treats such people with care and recent developments in Medical field are continuously giving a new way to the lives of millions of people. In early ages, there were cures for a few disease and people were compelled to live a life full of illness. They did not have any other choice. Gradually, researchers and doctors realized the importance of new and improved medical facilities. Nowadays, people have come to know about its important and need for a prosperous society. Many diseases which were considered to be cureless are now easily cured. With the help of some doctors charitable institutions have been developed. These charitable institutions help the patients to recover from chronic diseases. For example, kidney or heart centers. The institutes are widely known to help the people who cannot afford the expensive medical surgeries. On the other hand these physicians are the ones who guide the patients to reach the path of betterment. They help individuals in avoiding serious diseases which are coming their way. These physicians are able to detect some disease in their early stages and then derive a possible cure for that disease. With the help of many physicians new vaccines have been developed which help in eradicating a certain disease. For e.g. the vaccine for hepatitis B helps in decreasing the chances of hepatitis B found in an individual. Other than the vaccines the medical professionals are trying to curb out new ways of eradicating a certain disease. New ways of surgeries are being derived which help in curing a certain disease. 7. Outline and evaluate the Marxist perspective of health and medicine - 500 words Ans. According to the Marxists views anything which is of a capitalist nature is wrong and unjust. The history of the department of health is related to the olden times when it was equal for everyone and every individual in this world could afford it. Initially all the doctors came together to work in the hospitals. However after developments were made through out the century the power of the individuals who controlled the health department increased. And with this development the hospitals were started to be handed over to the private sector. Nowadays the power which the bureaucrats and hospital administrations is also above the power of those who are well aware of the clinical factors (i.e. the doctors). This shows that the power is vested with someone who is providing the company with funds. This conversion of health care from government hands to the private hands has a great influence on the over all view of Marxists. Marxists view the health industry as one with a capitalist nature in these days. This is because previously it was working for the betterment of the people while these days it is working for its own benefits and profitability. This system responds to the financial and political needs of the capitalist industry. The Marxists view the prices of drugs shooting up as a capitalist move too as these prices would further maximize the profitability of the company who is designing the drugs. According to the Marxists profit and expansion are the beginning of an era of a capitalist industry. The Marxists view the health industry as an investment by the upper class and a mean of profit by the individuals. They famously state that the health industry is being used by the governments to stabilize their falling economy. Investment by the governments in the sector of health is viewed as a step to avoid any unrest among the people. Thus on an overall view of the Marxists theory it can be said that the health department is being used by a source of income by every individual who is getting involved in it. And if this theory is closely analyzed it can be concluded that the theory is speaking about the present environment in this world. Hospitals which were created in the olden times to help other people are now being used as a primary source of income by bureaucrats and the governments. The investment in the field of medicines and drugs is primarily to increase the profits acquired. As said by Charles Eliot the president of Harvard University 'medicine is an important psychological tool for the maintenance of the domestic tranquility and social stability needed for production and profit'. This clearly illustrates that the research in the field of medicine is also being done to achieve economic stability. In the end it can be concluded that the Marxists view on health and medicine are right and if the dignity of these institutes is to be regained strong measures must be taken. Works Cited BISSELL, P., TRAULSEN, J. M., & HAUGBOLLE, L. S. (2002). (2) An introduction to functionalist sociology: Talcott Parsons' concept of the "sick role". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE. 10, 60-68. HELMAN, C. (2000). Culture, health, and illness. Oxford [England], Butterworth-Heinemann. GREAT BRITAIN, BLACK, D., TOWNSEND, P., & DAVIDSON, N. (1982). Inequalities in health: the Black report. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England ; New York, N.Y., Penguin Books. O'BOYLE, C. (2002). The doctor-patient relationship. British Medical Journal. 325. BRODY, H. (2007). Hooked: ethics, the medical profession, and the pharmaceutical industry. Explorations in bioethics and the medical humanities. Lanham, Rowman & Littlefield. SALMON, J. W. (1994). Corporate transformation of health care. Perspectives & implications. Amityville, N.Y., Baywood Pub. Co. GERDES, L. I. (2008). Medicine. Detroit, Greenhaven Press. Read More