3. MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY

Question 1

1. How is Medical Sociology different from BioMedicine?

Answer 1

• Medical Sociology focuses on the social model of health

Question 2

2. In which kind of context is Health understood?

Answer 2

• it is understood in a social context
• it is not purely biological

Question 3

3. What are 3 aspects that Medical Sociology focuses on?

Answer 3

1. how disease is socially experienced
2. social and cultural values and how they shape people’s behaviour and health behaviour
3. how health can be influenced by social forces

Question 4

4. Are diseases a fixed social experience.
   Explain.

Answer 4

• no
• different people may experience the same condition in a different manner

Question 5

5. What two factor’s does the experience of a disease depend on?

Answer 5

• it depends on the patient’s life circumstances
• it depends on the social context

Question 6

6. What values shape our behaviour and health behaviour?

Answer 6

• Socio-Cultural

Question 7

7. Why are cultural beliefs so influential on a person’s behaviour?

Answer 7

• they become a person’s 2nd nature
• it is a part of their identity
• people are immersed into them from birth
• they are raised abiding by their cultural normalities

Question 8

8. Can Social forces influence Health?
   Explain.

Answer 8

• yes
• a poor socio-economic background is associated with ill health and high mortality
• working class people have a higher mortality and morbidity rate
• this is due to access to resources and the way in which these people behave

Question 9

9. Why is Medical Sociology useful in Medical Practice?

Answer 9

• it provides doctors with a general knowledge about the effects of social influences on health
• it will remind a doctor to enquire about the patient’s social history, as well as the patient’s perspectives and concerns

Question 10

10. Why is it important to know more about the patient’s social environment?

Answer 10

• you will understand more about the patient’s condition
• you will be more considerate and ask your patient more of the right questions
• you will be more empathetic
• your patient will trust you more
• the patient will be more open with you and honest with their answers
• it brings about a holistic form of treatment
• this will bring about better medical treatment, advice and intervention

Question 11

11. What does it mean to be empathetic?

Answer 11

• to understand your patient’s feelings and perspectives

Question 12

12. What benefits are brought about by understanding your patient’s holistically?

Answer 12

• your patients will likely be more satisfied
• they will likely adhere better to the therapy

Question 13

13. Based on the extremity of the information your patient tells you, what may you have to do?

Answer 13

• you may have to refer your patient to other specialists
• this is if their condition interferes greatly with their psychological well being and adherence

Question 14

14. Read through this summary.
    Do you understand everything?

Answer 14

• yes