Social Construction of Disease + Stigmatising Conditions

Question 1

what is social constructionism?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

how does medicine see illness?

Answer 2

disease is a universal unchanging biological condition

Question 3

how does society affect medical knowledge?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

how is the role of the clinical as the sole authority evolving?

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

advantages of role of internet in construction of health knowledge:

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

helps people with rare diseases connect?

Answer 7

McMullen 2006

Question 8

disadvantages of role of internet in construction of health knowledge:

Answer 8

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

Question 9

who said non-evidence based info?

Answer 9

McMullen 2006

Question 10

who said the role of the internet “can lead to incorrect self-diagnosis”?

Answer 10

McMullen 2006

Question 11

what % of hand conditions diagnosed using WebMD symptom checker were correct?

Answer 11

33% - Hageman 2015

Question 11

what % of hand conditions diagnosed using WebMD symptom checker were correct?

Answer 11

33% - Hageman 2015

Question 12

how do dentists respond to knowledge that patients have constructed through the internet? mcmullen said there are 3 ways they respond

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what is the goal?

Answer 13

not patient compliance
we want collaborative approach
guide them to reliable websites!

Question 14

what is evocation?

Answer 14

pulling info out of paint that is relevant
understand patient more
open convo, not yes/ no
collaborate
come up with info together

Question 15

what is the jade goody effect?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

how do medical sociologists define health?

Answer 16

as a state of physical, mental, social wellbeing

Question 17

what does health being a socio culture phenomenon mean?

Answer 17

boundaries between healthy + unhealthy can vary depending on where you are/ where you’re raised

Question 18

what is parsons sick role?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

illnesses we cant see but are serious?

Answer 19

lupus diabetes

Question 20

so what was the function of the sick role?

Answer 20

to create a social space for normative social behaviours which relate to being ill in society

• don’t get to stay home from work

Question 21

obligations/ duties of a person who fulfils the sick role:

Answer 21

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

Question 22

rights of a person who fulfils the sick role:

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

hiv/ aids

Answer 23

heavily stigmatised
causes people to hide their illness
withhold ability to engage in their sick role

Question 24

when you perform a sick the role, the person has an obligation to do what?

Answer 24

seek help from a professional person
try to cooperate in the process of trying to get better

Question 25

in our society and certain health care institutions, there is possible discrimination against:

Answer 25

mental disorders, AIDS, skin disorders

Question 26

what is meant by “it becomes their master label?”

Answer 26

alopecia automatically assumed of having cancer- held to that stereotype

Question 27

the stigmatised person is expected to conform to what?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

stat for amount of people who have a history of addiction also experience mental illness?

Answer 28

1 in 6

Question 29

how does presence of stigma affect dentistry?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

examples of stigmatising conditions?

Answer 30

Question 31

how may a person with a stigmatising condition behave?

Answer 31

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