Why Do Patients Consult

Question 1

What is Blaxter’s definition of health?

Answer 1

Negatively as the absence of illness, functionally, as the ability to cope with everyday activities, or positively, as fitness and well-being.

Question 2

Define disease.

Answer 2

Deviation from a biological norm.

Question 3

Define illness.

Answer 3

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

Question 4

How does sickness differ from illness and disease?

Answer 4

Sickness is the role negotiated with society.

Question 5

What is the difference between signs and symptoms?

Answer 5

• Symptoms are the feelings that patients experience which alert them to the possibility of disease.
• Signs are the pointers that the doctor identifies which signify the existence of disease.

Question 6

List 5 factors that affect a person’s probability of consulting.

Answer 6

1 - Age.

2 - Gender.

3 - Ethnicity.

4 - Deprivation.

5 - Smoking status.

Question 7

List 3 social triggers which enable symptoms to come to be seen as abnormal.

Answer 7

1 - The perceived interference with vocational / physical activity.

2 - The perceived interference with social or personal relations.

3 - The occurrence of an interpersonal crisis.

Question 8

List 3 non-social triggers which enable symptoms to come to be seen as abnormal.

Answer 8

1 - Visibility of symptoms.

2 - Recognisability of symptoms.

3 - Available information about the symptoms.

Question 9

List 4 obligations and privileges of assuming the sick role.

Answer 9

Obligations:

1 - Must want to get well as quickly as possible.

2 - Should seek professional medical advice and cooperate with the doctor.

Privileges:

1 - Allowed to shed some normal activities and responsibilities.

2 - Regarded as being in need of care and unable to get better by his or her own decisions.

Question 10

List 4 expectations of a doctor assuming a professional role.

Answer 10

1 - Apply a high degree of skills and knowledge.

2 - Act for the welfare of the patient and the community rather than one’s own self-interest.

3 - Be objective and emotionally detached.

4 - Be guided by rules of professional practice.

Question 11

List 4 rights given to a doctor assuming a professional role.

Answer 11

1 - Granted the right to examine patients physically.

2 - Granted the right to enquire into intimate areas of physical and personal life.

3 - Granted considerable autonomy.

4 - Occupies a position of authority in relation to the patient.