Why do patients consult? Flashcards
What is Kleinman’s model of healthcare systems?
Suggests health and illness we experience is dealt with by three sectors:
Popular sector(the largest) family friends relative media magazine Internet all places where people can get health advice
Folk
cultural beliefs and traditional medicine old wives tails e.g.doc leaves for nettle stings
Professional
doctors dentists pharmacists
What is significant about Kleinman’s model
It is dynamic people move thorough all three sectors and most illness is managed informally in the community
people consult when they cannot cure there symptoms by self treatment
Wha tis the WHO definition of health
health is a state of complete physical, metal and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity’
What is the definition of health used by us
health can be defined negatively as the absence of illness, functionally, as the ability to cope with every day activities, or positively as fitness and well-being’
What are the stages of illness?
Person experiences symptoms of a disease
Advice from family and friends
May choose to seek professional advice
Doctor legitimises sick role
Patient assumes sick role
Patient will then start recovery stages and get better
What is the concept of the clinical iceberg?
shows that doctors only see people at the tip of the iceberg and that the vast majority of people remain under the water these are the people that self treat
These patients may show sings and symptoms but choose not to consult –> could have big health impacts e.g. cancers
How does Age affect consultation frequency?
Younger children especially those of first time parents want reassurance that baby is ok
Elderly more likely to have multiple morbidities
may also come to doctor more often as they are lonely and like to interact with doctor and staff
How does gender affect consultation frequency?
Women more likely to consult than men
Media focuses at lot more on women health acceptable for them to talk about illness
women more likely to go issues with menstruation pregnancy menopause infertility etc
macho men media not accepting of illness
how does social class affect consultation frequency?
People from higher social class more likely to consult in some cases as they have better healthcare knowledge
however, people from lower income class more likely to consult as they get free prescriptions and have more manual jobs with less autonomy affecting both physical and mental health
What steps to do people go to before they consult?
Are the symptoms normal abnormal
Should I go to the doctor
What else can i do
What are the costs and benefits of the options
What are Zolas 5 triggers that result in people consulting?
Interference with vocation (illness stops you doing job or sport)
Interference with social relationships (rash on face obvious)
Interpersonal crisis (e.g. divorce made redundant peoples ability to cope with illness lost)
Temporalising symptoms (ill go to see the doctor if this doesn’t clear up after a week
Sectioning (being told to go to the doctor usually men saying I didn’t want to come but my wife told me to)
What is the role of the doctor in parsons sick role
Apply a high degree of knowledge and skill
Act in the patients best interests rather than self interest
Be objective and emotionally detached
Be guided by the rules of professional practice
Legitimise the sick role
The role obligations of the patient is parsons sick role
Must want to get well as quickly as possible
should corporate and seek advice
Should expect to shed some normal activities and responsibilities
Why don’t people consult?
Stigma Think its trivial fear of treatment poor access geographically fear of being told off (e.g to stop smoking) language difficulties
Why do people overconsult?
Media
Was not satisfied by Gp’s advice
Wants sick tole and the rights and obligations of sick person
