Topic 1 - Medical Sociology

Question 1

Define the sociological perspective.

Answer 1

focuses on social patterns than individual behaviors

Question 2

What does a critical approach entail?

Answer 2

focus on the sources, nature, and consequences of an issue

Question 3

Explain the difference between sociology in medicine and sociology of medicine.

Answer 3

• In Medicine: focuses on research questions of interest to doctors
• Of Medicine: research questions of interest to sociologists in general and challenges medical views of the world and power relationships w/in the health care world

Question 4

Explain the difference between an epidemic and an endemic.

Answer 4

Epidemic - sig. increase in the numbers affected by the disease and the first appearance of a new disease
Endemic - est. w/in a population at fairly stable level

Question 5

What is an epidemiological transition?

Answer 5

shift from a society being plagued of deaths from infectious diseases and expectancy of life increasing to chronic illnesses becoming more common

Question 6

What does social forces affect?

Answer 6

• likelihood of health and illness
• patient’s experiences of illness
• health care providers
• the health care system as a whole

Question 7

Why should we study medical sociology?

Answer 7

• Medicine does not occur in a vacuum
• Health care is life and death
• Ethical issues are a major concern
• Illness and health are culturally bound

Question 8

What is medicine influenced by?

Answer 8

the political and economic forces in society

Question 9

What are the four humors?

Answer 9

blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile