Sociological Approaches to Long Term Conditions and Chronic Illnesses. Flashcards
What is a chronic illness?
“Chronic diseases are diseases which current medical interventions can only control not cure. The life of a person with a chronic condition is forever altered - there is no return to normal.”
What is a long term condition?
“A long term condition (LTC) is a condition that cannot, at present, be cured but is controlled by medication and/or other treatment/therapies.”
What is the difference between chronic illness and LTC?
They can be used fairly interchangeably. There are no distinct differences. However the word “chronic” can be perceived as more charged than long term. Long term condition has a more positive outlook so when explaining a condition to a patient the attitude of the patient towards the illness might be more positive if you use the words long term condition instead of chronic illness.
What are some characteristics of a long term condition?
The manifestation of symptoms and illness may vary greatly from day to day.
Usually life long.
Can only be controlled but not cured.
LTCs increase with ageing population, i.e. more prevalent in an older age group but that doesn’t mean it isn’t found in younger people.
How much of the total health and care spendings go towards LTCs?
Around 70%
Why is awareness of LTCs important?
Because the increasing prevalence of long term conditions is the biggest challenge facing the NHS right now. A huge culture change is needed to put people at the centre of decisions about their care.
What is Parsons’ ‘sick role’?
A temporary, medically sanctioned form of deviant behaviour.
What are the mechanisms of the sick role?
In order to allow deviant behaviour or being excused from usual duties the sick person is expected to seek professional advice and to adhere to treatment.
Medical practitioners are empower to sanction the diseased temporary absence from the workforce and family duties as well as to absolve them from blame.
What are some limitations of the sick role?
Not all illnesses are temporary. So where do retired people with LTCs fit in?
Does not acknowledge differences between people.
Does not acknowledge individual agency in defining and coping with illness - not involving medical profession.
What is the sociological theory on chronic illness?
The work of chronic illness depends; Illness work Everyday life work Emotional work Biographical work Identity work
How does illness work present post-diagnosis?
Process can be very unpleasant.
Can be shocking
Very threatening
A relief
What is illness work?
Dealing with the physical manifestation of an illness. Self-Management is key.
Then working how how to cope with social relationships
Interaction between the body and identity.
Bodily changes -> self conception changes
Describe emotional work.
Work that people do to protect the emotional well-being of others.
Maintaining normal activities become deliberately conscious.
People find friendships disrupted and may strategically withdraw or restrict their social terrain.
May involve downplaying pain or other symptoms
Presenting a cheery self.
Explain biographical work.
Usually described as a loss of self.
The former self-image withers away without simultaneous development of new ones.
There is a struggle to lead valued lives
An interaction between body and identity
What is Bury’s biographical disruption?
A model built not only for LTCs.
Focuses on people’s experience of the onset of illness as a disruptive event.
Acknowledges differences between individuals.
