Experiencing health Flashcards
4 definitions of health
absence of illness: If I am not sick
Functional ability: can carry out daily functions
Equilibrium: mind, body and soul connected
Freedom: ability to do what you want to do
Medical model of health
A state of health is a biological fact
Ill health is caused by biological misfortunes
Causes are identified by signs and symptoms and the process of ‘diagnosis’
Medical knowledge is exclusionary, i.e. the job of experts
Biomedicine is disease orientated and concerned with pathology
Social model of health
A state of health is varied, uncertain and diverse
Ill health is caused by social factors
Causes are identified through beliefs and interpretation
Knowledge is not exclusionary; it has a historical, cultural and social context
Sources of lay beliefs about health
Personal experience/knowledge Media and Internet Spiritual beliefs Folk knowledge Previous medical encounters Alternative and complementary medicine
Why is it important to understand lay beliefs?
Helps to better understand behaviour related to illness (eg compliance/continuation of treatment)
Understand patient expectations of doctor
Better patient satisfaction
Triggers to seeking medical help
interpersonal crisis ( may be unrelated to illness)
interference with social or personal relations (affects everyday relationships)
‘sanctioning’ (instructed to go)
interference with vocational or physical activity (affects everyday activities)
a ‘temporalizing of symptomatology’ (self-set deadline to get better before seeking help)
If symptoms worsen
What are lay beliefs?
a persons ‘common-sense’ understanding and knowledge about health and illness.
Rooted in an individual’s experiences
What are the main ways chronic illness and impairment may affect patients?
Can affect
Sense of self: how they see themselves
Identity: how they are perceived by others
Social relationships: change in social networks, gender roles
Daily living: Loss of freedom, independence, functional ability
