quiz 2 Flashcards
sociological definition of health
broad-based concept of
6 Primary Orientations:
- Physical functioning
- Mental health
- Social well-being
- Role Functioning
- General health perceptions
- Symptoms
biomedical definition of health
solely on an individual’s physiological state and presence or absence of symptoms. “Absence of Disease”
WHO definition of health
inclusive, positive and proactive view; “… a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being and NOT merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
4 key dimensions of health behavior
Prevention
Detection
Promotion
Protection
4 assumptions that limit health behavior utility
- ”Presence of disease”: faulty: 1) cultural / individual differences in reacting / reporting symptoms; 2) sometimes NO signs / symptoms.
- “ONLY medical professionals” are capable of defining health & illness: Reality: Patients & others (e.g. family) are involved in the process.
- Health & illness should be defined SOLELY in terms of physiological function. Fact: people are NOT MERELY BIOLOGICAL BEINGS – psychological and social creatures. <Body – Mind – Soul>.
- “Health” as merely “the absence of disease”: This excludes A LOT about “well-being”.
health protective behaviors
individual actions taken to protect, promote, or maintain health.
prescriptive vs proscriptive
Prescriptive – what you should do (diet, seatbelts, exercise, check-ups, etc.)
Proscriptive – what is recommended/should not do (driving safely, not smoking, limiting alcohol, etc.)
micro vs macro approach to healthy lifestyle
- Micro- approach to Healthy Lifestyle – focuses on individual decisions to do +/- things.
- Macro- approach – to change community behaviors, including social structure (racism, sexism, unemployment, etc.). BUT* corporations resist (tobacco, alcohol, food…).
- Calls for Quality Education, Jobs, Public Health, Mass Transit, etc. (ALL of which COST MONEY – and require TAXES.)
Suchman’s stages of illness experience
- Symptom Experience
- The Sick Role
- Medical Care Contact
Seeing someone with medical legitimacy - Dependent Patient Role
Agree or reject medical treatment/suggestion - Recovery & Rehabilitation
How do we assess Symptoms when they arise?
social construction of illness definition
its definition and ability to cope with illness are culturally and socially determined with the socialization process. “How we learn to be ‘human’ & interact w/others.”
the sick role definition
when one is ill – you not only exit ‘normal’ social roles – but rather enter into a NEW role with certain exemptions and responsibilities.
labeling theory
helps define roles of illness as well.
In Sick Role, one enters into “normlessness” to stay in the Sick Role (legitimately) … the person must convey a desire to get well.
medicalization definition
a process allowing the medical professional to determine what is “normal” and “desirable” behavior … AND … how to CONTROL, MODIFY/ELIMINATE “undesirable” behaviors.
palliative care
increase, treating the pain / suffering of seriously ill patients.
result of medicalization
↑ POWER of Medical Institutions / Professionals
↓ Religions / ↓ State (legal) definitions of POWER
May be Good (+): *Less stigmatizing *Less punitive
May be Bad (-): Representing some “societal” label of disapproval
medicalizing deviance
SIN → CRIME → ILLNESS
de-medicalization
deinstitutionalization of mental patients,
and other American Psychiatric Association disorders (DSM)
Homosexuality
- Much of this from Sociological critiques
labeling theory with de-medicalization
definition of illness is a subjective matter, worked out in particular CULTURAL contexts.
BUT »_space;»> CAN YOU ELIMINATE IT? EVER? HOW?
Range of Choices for Medical Care & Advice (inverted)
- “Other” – Self Care
- Lay Advisors
- Non-Medical Professionals
- Alternative Medical Practitioners
- Modern Medical Practitioners
class effects on the poor
*Much less likely to have regular health care.
*Much more likely to use ER as primary care.
*Less likely to be admitted to hospital but much sicker when they are.
class effects on race, ethnicity, and gender
Hispanics – have LOWEST rate of use of health services
Women – controlling for reproductive services, women still use MORE health services than Men.
e.g. Indian Women
*husbands must approve
*don’t have direct access to family $$
*don’t go to health clinics ALONE
self care
Important concept including BEHAVIORS to
- Promote optimal health
- Prevent illness
- Detect symptoms of ill health
- Heal acute illness
- Manage chronic conditions
concerns with dependent patient role
Loss of personal independence
Withdrawal from key Social Roles
Changed body image
stigmas associated with illness
Social Rejection
Financial Insecurity
Internalized Shame
Social Isolation
professional dominance
Early 20th century is when physicians gain dominance in Medical field – replacing family and church. (Paul Starr)
Strengthened with ↑ AMA and its overseeing licensure & education.
Controls Supply of Doctors (drives out “untrained”)
Won the Great Trade of 1910 (Review)
However»_space;»
↑ Corporatization ↓ Medical Profession’s Power
by 2000, 1/3 of MDs in the AMA* (decline)
