Sociological Perspectives and
Models of health
Gabriella Patterson – DUE 18/10/21
Introduction:
In this report, I will discuss about sociological perspectives and how these
contribute to our understanding of health and social care and how society
functions. I will be expanding on how functionalism helps us understand
society and how conflict occurs in everyday life. I will provide an overview of
how concepts like functionalism and Marxism effect today's society, as well as
evaluate how the biomedical model and an alternative model of health and
concepts of ill health and disability, affect the service provision in my selected
health and social care setting, I will also explain how the concepts of health, ill
health and disability, contribute to the service provided in your selected,
health and social care setting.
How sociological perspectives are applied to health and social care.
The term “health” alludes to the extent of a person’s physical, mental, and
overall social well-being. One definition defines health as a
“multidimensional” concept. Much as the three depths of health just listed
often affect each other; it is viable for an individual to have a good physical
wellbeing however have a poor mental state. Health care applies to the
provision of medical services to take precaution to prevent, diagnose, and
treat health problems.
Functionalism
, Functionalism is a theory that treats society as a complex but orderly and
stable system with irrelated structures and functions or social models to meet
individual needs. The functionalist perspective stresses that good health and
successful medical care are essential for a society’s ability to function. Poor
physical condition will impair our chances of functioning in society as
expected. If many people are weak, the functioning and stability of society
will be affected.
Parsons said this is especially true for premature deaths because it prevents
individuals from fully fulfilling all their social roles and therefore represents a
“bad return” to society because of the individual’s contribution to pregnancy,
childbirth, parenting, and socialisation. All kinds of costs eventually die
prematurely. Poor medical conditions can also cause social dysfunction,
because sick people face greater difficulties in becoming healthy, and healthy
people are more likely to get sick.
Functionalism in health and social care demonstrates how doctors and nurses
having a significant role within society because they are in charge of taking
care of the wellbeing of individuals and ensuring they recover in order so they
can return back to society.
Parsons as a functionalist believes illness is due to a deviant behaviour which
then interrupts home life and work. The term “deviant” meaning a behaviour
which most of a society disagree with, or which goes against the rules and
norms of a society.
Parson concludes that when an individual is sick, they take on the “sick role”.
The “sick role” is when the individual who is unwell is not only physically
sick, but they are now having to comply to the process social role of being
sick. The individual is not responsible for obtaining the “sick role” however
the individual is now exempted from accomplishing some or all normal social
duties, for example work and family. The individual must try and get better
as the “sick role” is a temporary role; the sick individual needs to seek the
appropriate medical care to return to society as normal.
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