5 Sociological Approaches to Chronic Illness Flashcards
What is chronic illness?
A range of conditions which have a long term and profound influence on the lives of sufferers. Manifestations vary day to day. They can be controlled but not cured.
Why is chronic illness an important issue (think about demands placed on the NHS)?
50% of all GP appointments, 64% of all outpatient appointments and 70% of all inpatient beds
How can sociological thinking on chronic illness be broken down (5 works)?
Illness work Everyday life work Emotional work Biographical work Identity work
What is considered ILLNESS WORK when thinking about the sociological theory of chronic illness?
GETTING A DIAGNOSIS
Prolonged period of uncertainty
Functional diagnoses e.g. IBS may feel like the answer has not been found
Diagnosis can be shocking and/or a relief
MANAGING THE SYMPTOMS
Coping with the physical manifestations of the disease
Self perception changes –> sick role
SELF MANAGEMENT
Can be difficult - poor rates of adherence and poor quality of life
Programmes e.g. DESMOND can help - diabetes education and self management for the ongoing or newly diagnosed
What is meant by ILLNESS WORK?
The activities in the life of the patient related to their long term condition
What is the expert patient programme? How does it aim to help with illness work?
Teaches patients to manage themselves and reduce hospital admissions.
However, it places a lot of responsibility on the ill to care for themselves and there is no evidence of efficiency savings.
What is considered EVERYDAY LIFE WORK?
COPING- the cognitive processes involved in dealing with illness
NORMALISATION - try to keep your pre-illness lifestyle and identity intact OR redesignate your new life as normal
What is considered EMOTIONAL WORK?
Work that the patient does to PROTECT EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON OTHERS - conscious effort to maintain normal activities.
RELATIONSHIPS become strained and patients can withdraw
Patients may downplay their symptoms to their families - presenting as their cheery selves
IMPACT ON ROLE - wife/main earner may feel useless and become dependent on others - ROLE CHANGE
What is considered BIOGRAPHICAL WORK?
Former self image crumbles away
Interaction between body and identity
Grief for former life
What is IDENTITY WORK?
Affects how people see themselves and how others see them.
Illness becomes defining aspect of identity.
STIGMA - a negatively defined condition, attribute, trait or behaviour –> DEVIANT status
Define STIGMA
STIGMA - a negatively defined condition, attribute, trait or behaviour –> DEVIANT status
What is meant by DISCREDITABLE and DISCREDITED STIGMA?
DISCREDITABLE= Concealable stigma e.g. mental illness/ HIV +ve
DISCREDITED= their condition is obvious and cannot be concealed e.g. physical disability/ known suicide attempt
Some conditions e.g. EPILEPSY are both
What is meant by ENACTED and FELT STIGMA?
ENACTED= the real experience of prejudice, discrimination FELT= Fear of enacted stigma / feeling of shame
Distinguish between the MEDICAL and SOCIAL MODELS OF DISABILITY
Medical= disability is a deviation from the medical norm and the disadvantages are a direct consequence of the impairment caused.
SOCIAL= impairments faced by the those with a disability is because of a failure of society to adjust.
e.g. dyslexia only a disability when society places a pressure on literacy skills
What is the ICIDH
International Classification of Impairments Disabilities or Handicaps
Attempts to classify CONSEQUENCES of disease
Impairment = abnormalities in structure/function of the body
Disability= concerned with the performance of activities
Handicap= Broader social and psychological consequences of living with impairment of disability
