Why do patients consult?

Question 1

The bio-medical model

Answer 1

Suggests that people consult a doctor when they cannot cure their symptoms by self-treatment.

Question 2

Kleinman’s model of healthcare systems

Answer 2

Consists of:
-professional sector
-popular sector
-folk sector
People move in and out of the 3 sectors as they decide what to do about their symptoms and treatment.

Question 3

WHO definition of health

Answer 3

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 4

Disease

Answer 4

A pathological process, deviation from a biological norm.

Question 5

Illness

Answer 5

The patient’s experience of ill health, sometimes when no disease can be found.

Question 6

Sickness

Answer 6

The role negotiated within society.

Question 7

Healing and wholeness

Answer 7

Whatever process results in the experience of greater wholeness.

Question 8

Symptoms

Answer 8

The feelings experienced by the patient.

Question 9

Signs

Answer 9

Objective pointers looked for by a doctor.

Question 10

Stages of illness

Answer 10

1) Person experiences symptoms
2) Seeks advice from friends and relatives
3) Seeks advice from a professional
4) Doctor legitimises sick role
5) Recovery

Question 11

Abnormal symptoms (Zola 1973)

Answer 11

• perceived interference with vocational or physical activity
• perceived interference with social or personal relations
• the occurence of an interpersonal crisis
• temporalising of symptomatology (time limit)
• sanctioning (encouragement/advice)

Question 12

Variables known to influence health behaviour (Mechanic 1978)

Answer 12

Includes symptom visibility, seriousness, disruptance, frequency/ persistance; patient tolerance, knowledge, culture, denial, competing needs; and availability of resources.