Sick Role Model - Talcott Parsons (1950s)

Question 0

What did Parsons define sick role as?

Answer 0

Temporary, medically sanctioned form of deviant behaviour

Question 1

Who developed the Sick Role Model?

Answer 1

Talcott Parsons (1950s)

Question 2

What are the patients rights?

Answer 2

1) The sick person is exempt from normal social rules (looking after family, going to work)
2) The sick person is not responsible for their condition

Question 3

What are the patients obligations?

Answer 3

1) The sick person must want to get well

2) The sick person should seek technically competent help and cooperate with the medical professional

Question 4

What are the health practitioners rights?

Answer 4

• Treated as experts with degree of independence

- Allowed access to examine patient physically, psychologically, emotionally and to treat a patient as appropriate

Question 5

What is symptom iceberg?

Answer 5

• 1/3 of people who experience symptoms do nothing
• 1/3 self medicate (or seek alternative therapies)
• 1/3 consult a doctor

Question 6

Criticisms of sick role model

Answer 6

1) Patient rejects sick role
2) Variations of doctor patient relationship
3) Blaming the sick (individual held responsible for illness)
4) Chronic illness (blindness, diabetes). Model only fits acute illnesses.