Inequalities Flashcards
What is sociology?
The study of the development, structure and functioning of human society
List some examples of how sociology can apply to healthcare?
- Healthcare professional-patient relationships
- Illness vs disease
- Interactions between healthcare professionals
- Health promotion
- Understanding the sick role
What characteristics apply to ‘professions’ as opposed to other occupations?
- Systematic theory
- Authority recognised by its clientele
- Broader community sanction
- Code of ethics
- Professional culture sustained nu formal professional sanctions
What does the sick role entail?
- Exempts ill people from their daily responsibilities
- Patient is not responsible for being ill - regarded as unable to get better without help of a professional
- Patient is under a social obligation to hey better as soon as possible
What is the role of the healthcare professional within the sick role/professional dynamic?
- Professional must be objective/not judge patients morally
- Professional must put patient’s interests first
- Must obey a professional code of practice
- Professional must maintain knowledge and skills to treat patients
- Professional has the right to examine patient intimately, prescribe treatment and has wide autonomy in medical practice
What classification system is used for social class based on employment status?
National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC)
What are the social/socio-economic influences on health?
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Physical environment
- Education
- Employment
- Income/social status/financial security
- Health system
- Social environment
List some examples of gender inequality in medicine?
- Men have higher mortality at every age
- Women consult more frequently in GP
- Suicide rates are higher in men
- Women more likely to be in receipt of carer’s allowance?
List some examples of ethnicity inequality in medicine?
- Heart attack rates are higher in South Asian populations living in Scotland
- Greater prevalence of sickle cell disease in Africa origin groups
- Poorer general health/higher mortality in majority ethnic (white) population
What are some potential barriers to the use of health services?
- Patient level – language concerns, understanding the system, beliefs
- Provider level – understanding of the differences due to ethnicity, provider skills and attitudes
- System level – organisation of appointments and referrals
In what ways may colder housing act as a social factor in healthcare?
- More risk of respiratory problems
- More risk of multiple mental health problems
- More risk of winter deaths
In what ways does employment act as a social factor in health?
- Provides income and financial security
- Provides social contacts
- Provides status in society
- Provides a purpose in life
- Unemployment is associated with increased morbidity and premature mortality
How does the WHO define health inequalities?
-The differences in health status or in distribution of health determinants between different population groups
List some examples of health inequalities in children relating to deprivation?
- Low birth weight
- Breastfeeding
- Dental health
- Obesity/overweight
- Teenage pregnancy
List some conditions that are more prevalent in more deprived areas?
Lung cancer Stroke Ischaemic heart disease COPD Drug use disorders Alcohol dependence Diabetes Mellitus Chronic liver disease Self-harm/Depression
