Sociology of Health

M2 Use different sociological perspectives to discuss patterns and trends of health and illness in two different social groups.

Throughout society there are many different sociological approaches to health and ill health. Within society there are many different perspectives towards whom the responsibility for health falls upon and also what defines people as ill? Your health is defined by the general condition of your body and mind. An illness is defined by an impairment of normal physical or mental function. To help explain the different sociological approaches to health and ill health I will be referring to the case study of Aziz and Tamsela. Aziz and Tamsela have four young children; Tamsela’s elderly parents also live with them in their three bedroomed houses in a deprived and depressing area of London. Their house is in desperate need of repair; it is damp and

This report will be investigating the various sociological perspectives on health as well as the models and definitions of health and ill health. These topics will assist in the understanding of how different people and different cultures react to ill health.

Mortality rates: In gender men generally die earlier than women because of many aspects of their life, for instance in general women tend to take care of them self more physically. A lot of women go on diets and a lot of exercise DVDs and detunes are mainly aimed at women. Women in general do try to eat healthy and go on diets whereas men usually aren't very aware of their diet and don’t have much intention on improving it. Women also tend to go to the doctors and seek medical advice more often and have their illnesses diagnosed and treated more often than men. Because women' generally take more care of themselves and do more to keep themselves healthy.

Patients seek medical attention for preventative measures, as well as, diagnostic measures. Patients must have a trusting rapport with their collaborative medical team, as the nurses and the doctors are the people who they trust their lives with. Patients do not always present to hospitals, urgent cares, walk-in clinics, or even doctor’s offices only when they are sick; patients visit to ensure their good health will continue, treatment regimens are of benefit, changes that may be needed in regimen. When someone thinks of a patient they may think of some of these characteristics: illness, disease, hospital, medications, health, and prevention.

A sociological theory is defined as a set of ideas that provide explanations about society and its structures. Functionalism and weberianism are most influential sociological theories about health and illness. With some similarities these theories have different ways to explain health and wellness. The essay will compare and contrast the two theories in terms of health and illness and shed light on the way these theories enhance the knowledge of health professionals.

Patient provider relationships play a pivotal role in the healthcare process. This relationship helps to bridge the gap between ailments of the patient and the diagnosis and care of the provider. The need for this relationship and its propensity to create the catalyst for patients need to be fulfilled is second only to the medical knowledge of the provider and the patient 's willingness to get better. As we have moved from a biomedical perspective to a biopsychosocial perspective the relationship between provider and patient has changed from physician centered modes of communication to more of a patient centered style of communication. And with the change of view we find that a strong and cohesive bond between patient and provider is the key to the advancement and overall quality of care for the patient. According to The Impact of Patient-Centered Care on Outcomes a patient centered approach to care has a correlation to a better healthcare outcome. Focusing on the patient increases compliance of the patient.

The social interaction is an integral part of everyday life of each individual, which is learned from the early childhood and is innate in its nature. It includes the social exchange of information, the ability to communicate, decide, and take responsibility for one’s action. The routine work of healthcare professionals includes the information exchange on an everyday basis. The excellent knowledge of primary disciplines necessary for the practice is crucial for the healthcare professional; however, one can encounter the difficulties without the deeper understanding of ethical principles of communication in the healthcare environment. The book “Health Professional and Patient Interaction”” by R. Purtilo, A. Haddad, and R. Doherty introduces the readers with the basic ethical principles and behaviors in the healthcare setting. The key points that the healthcare professional has to practice to achieve success and harmonic professional relationship with the patient are: respect in all circumstances, the ability to listen, the readiness for challenges, and care with empathy to the patient situation beyond any limits.

Finally the considerations above deriba that we are in a time of changes where the health professional who has acted as a source of power with its scientific knowledge to become part of a model of professional association - beneficiary where the scientific knowledge deribe in a balance in the relationship interpersonal in favor of the patient. The time is given to leave back the idea that a health care provider is the only expert in the field of disease, but the individual per se also has information that you need to share on equal terms. The understanding of this equity derive a health care more just, more balanced and more universal to

In addition to that Russel talks about the interaction between medicine and society and how both influence each other. He discusses the socialization of medicine and the medicalization of society, as well as the inequalities within the health care sysem and te different braches of medicine. Ultimatly the chapter “The social basis of medicin” seeks to outline the interplay of society and medicine and the importance of understanding just that.

Conversely, if doctors succeed in categorizing social problems as medical problems and monopolizing the treatments then their financial status would improve significantly. For example, physicians claim to be better obstetricians than midwives while denouncing alternative medicine and therapies to ensure that more people visit health care centers. The symbolic interactionist, on the other hand, assumes that health and illness are a social construction. As a result, the definitions a society gives to a disease or condition forms the basis on whether to be classified as healthy or ill conditions.

In chapter 5, the author gave information about the relationship that makes a difference to communication in healthcare to the people who are involved with healthcare and its outcomes. In contrast, both building the relationship and providing structure are continuous threads that occur throughout the interview. Also, building the relationship is a task that is easily taken for granted or forgotten. Forging a relationship with the patient is central to the success of every consultation whatever the context. Building the relationship is also the entry point to a longer term view of medical practice than we have considered so far. Then patients wish their doctors to be competent and knowledgeable but they also need to be able to

In order to comprehend the significance of social theory in public health needs to know its co-relation with other things for the analytical approaches of the system for remedial solutions.

All health care providers have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the patient and to remove or prevent harm to the patient. “These duties are viewed as rational and self-evident and are widely accepted as the proper goals of medicine” (McCormick, 2013). This principle is seen as the foundation of health care, as patient’s trust that the licensed physician can be trusted and is there to help. (McCormick, 2013).

Health care system also entails cooperation between physicians and patients. Hence, at the helm of any health care system lies patient and provider interface. Efficient dispensation of health care would require acceptance by the patient of health care services. Patient, thus, plays a critical role here, in the successful delivery of medical treatment and accepting behavioural adjustment so necessary to avoid health problems. Here, a trustworthy relationship between the patient and the provider and patient can have effectual and direct therapeutic results (Gilson