Social Construction of Disease + Stigmatising Conditions Flashcards
what is social constructionism?
conceptual framework that emphasises cultural and historical aspects of phenomena
individuals produce their own concepts of reality
knowledge = a product of social dynamics
illness= social meaning of that condition
shaped by cultural + social systems
as our society evolves to be more global, disease spread also evolved
as we learn to cure diseases, more diseases develop
how does medicine see illness?
disease is a universal unchanging biological condition
how does society affect medical knowledge?
medical knowledge= socially instructed
therefore produces inequalities in class, race, gender
at one point women were experienced to smoke
mental illness used to be seen as a sign of witchcraft/ satanism
how is the role of the clinical as the sole authority evolving?
each clinician constructs their knowledge of disease in a different way
who decides what an illness is though? society
based on what you hear, what you read, what you observe, role of internet
medical professionals = authority
patients now question this authority more as they:
- want a more personal control of their health
- want to question motivations/ judgement of healthcare professionals
to gage if they can manage it on their own or need medical help
can also happen after clinical encounter to:
- reluctance
- dissatisfaction with the amount of info provided by dentist
- around 6 mill americans go online for health advice every single day
advantages of role of internet in construction of health knowledge:
1) early detection
2) EMPOWER to manage health better, communicate with physicians, helps them communicate with physicians
3) online internet communities- primary methods of online info seeking
patients can share experiences- exchange emotional SUPPORT, can be anonymous (if feel shy to talk irl- alopecia)
4) SELF EFFICACY
5) removes transport + geographical barriers to social support (alopecia doesn’t have many support groups, can get it online)
6) helps people with rare diseases connect (McMullen 2006)
helps people with rare diseases connect?
McMullen 2006
disadvantages of role of internet in construction of health knowledge:
overwhelming, confusing, conflicting
1) lots of diverse types of knowledge (anti vaxxers against covid)
2) non-evidence based info (McMullen 2006)
3) non valid, incorrect, misleading info which contributes to medical knowledge in society
4) SCARE MONGERING, internet trolls
5) community groups who are anti fluoride
6) can lead to incorrect self diagnosis (McMullen 2006)
-> SYMPTOM SEEKING
- saying fluoride causes “disabilities, damaging, mind controlling”
patients will develop misinformed views from the internet and it can then be difficult to change their beliefs once they have been formed
who said non-evidence based info?
McMullen 2006
who said the role of the internet “can lead to incorrect self-diagnosis”?
McMullen 2006
what % of hand conditions diagnosed using WebMD symptom checker were correct?
33% - Hageman 2015
what % of hand conditions diagnosed using WebMD symptom checker were correct?
33% - Hageman 2015
how do dentists respond to knowledge that patients have constructed through the internet? mcmullen said there are 3 ways they respond
1) respond defensively by asserting their ‘expert opinion’
= health professional- centred relationship
2) dentist + paint collar in obtaining + analysing info
= patient centred relationship
ask questions around why the patient feels this way, analyse together
3) dentist guides patients to reliable health info websites, guide to evidence based research (york uni have good research on fluoride)
= internet prescription
what is the goal?
not patient compliance
we want collaborative approach
guide them to reliable websites!
what is evocation?
pulling info out of paint that is relevant
understand patient more
open convo, not yes/ no
collaborate
come up with info together
what is the jade goody effect?
media can stimulate behaviour changes
by including screening in the storylines of shows
publicity given to celebs who are diagnosed with diseases
jade goody- died of cervical cancer, led more women to undergo cervical screening
unintentionally concerns was developed of having a disease and if we regularly hear about it and reserve it in society
-> there is an increase in getting these diagnoses as well!
influx of cervical cancer screening
runny nose getting tested- fear of covid= more cases reported because see symptoms on social media
numbers = likely to increase
how do medical sociologists define health?
as a state of physical, mental, social wellbeing
what does health being a socio culture phenomenon mean?
boundaries between healthy + unhealthy can vary depending on where you are/ where you’re raised
what is parsons sick role?
within structural functional framework
describes the social cultural responses to disease through concept of ‘sick role’
sick role= behaviours associated with having an illness
to be seen as being sick/ get the treatment deserving of being sick:
-> a person must act the way society expects a person who is sick to be
illnesses we cant see but are serious?
lupus diabetes
so what was the function of the sick role?
to create a social space for normative social behaviours which relate to being ill in society
- don’t get to stay home from work
obligations/ duties of a person who fulfils the sick role:
they must want to get better
believe they will get better
must seek care of professionals when you fulfil the sick role
-> have to pass on the normal social behaviour that are expected of well behaviour
if you dont look visibly sick, people wont cut you ‘slack’
people with invisible diseases= often dismissed as being lazy
rights of a person who fulfils the sick role:
- more severe sickness= greater the exemption
- not held responsible for their condition- absence of blame as it is not simply curable by will power- illness considered beyond the individual’s control
- sick person has a right to be taken care of
hiv/ aids
heavily stigmatised
causes people to hide their illness
withhold ability to engage in their sick role
when you perform a sick the role, the person has an obligation to do what?
seek help from a professional person
try to cooperate in the process of trying to get better
in our society and certain health care institutions, there is possible discrimination against:
mental disorders, AIDS, skin disorders
what is meant by “it becomes their master label?”
alopecia automatically assumed of having cancer- held to that stereotype
the stigmatised person is expected to conform to what?
a particular stereotype as they are labeled as that condition
may end up conforming to expectation in order to fit into society
alopecia may try to wear wigs/ headscarves to conform/ hide their condition
stat for amount of people who have a history of addiction also experience mental illness?
1 in 6
how does presence of stigma affect dentistry?
avoidance in seeking dental care
avoidance worsens disease progression
reduces treatment compliance
further reduces the risk of relapse
worsens oral diseases that most substance users suffer from - dental decay
examples of stigmatising conditions?
how may a person with a stigmatising condition behave?
hide their illness
pretend to be well
conform to stereotype (alopecia might just wear a wig to conform)
must avoid making assumptions about what the stigmatised person can/ can’t do
they are worried about your reaction
