Deborah Lupton's Theory Of Medicalization

In the 19th century, the field of sociology developed, thus allowing for many sociologists to challenge the way society works, especially, in the health care system. Deborah Lupton is one of these sociologists that has researched the social and cultural aspects of medicine and the public health. She has published “a series of papers emerging from a study on patients’ and medical practitioners’ views on the medical profession and the coverage of the medical profession in the mass media.” (Lupton, 1997:108) In this article, she delves deeply into medicalization to shed the light on the contributions of a Foucauldian perspective to understand power relations within the medical profession. Lupton agrees with the Foucauldian perspective and argues

The doctors are higher up in the hierarchy and have a role in curing the patients of their illness. Since the patient is lower down in the hierarchy, therefore, they should solely accept the treatment that is provided to them in order for them to go back to their normal life. Latour would agree with this theory because he believes that you can’t remove the power from the doctors, such as how you can’t remove society from scientific facts. The medical practitioners have received an education which has provided them with all the scientific facts and medical knowledge. Therefore, it’s their duty to promote health to the patients and inform them of their illness. Furthermore, the patient should just accept the teachings of the doctor since he has more authority. Parsons would also agree because it follows the asymmetrical relationship between the doctors and the patients. Parson’s theory suggests that patients have a choice to accept the fact that they were sick and to seek professional help to get better. However, once they sought out the help they required, the physician then took over all responsibility and power of their illness. This asymmetry allows the doctor to pass along knowledge to the patients and allow them to get healthy and allows the power to be

Doctors urge patients to follow the mainstream practices in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to avoid disease, illness, pain, and even an early death. This “hidden power” is demonstrated through the consumption of cigarettes. In the 1960s, cigarettes used to be the biggest rage until doctors knew about their deadly side effects. Doctors then informed the general public about the risk of an early death, furthermore resulting in the decline of smokers. Latour would agree with this notion because this “hidden power” helps to unveil the black boxes of society, such as cigarette smoking and its effects, and inform patients of its intricate details. “Apart from those who make science, who study it, who defend it or who submit to it, there exist, fortunately, a few people either trained as scientists or not, who open the black boxes so that outsiders may have a glimpse at it.” (Latour:15) Patients are able to understand the “black box” and will, therefore, attempt to follow guidelines produced by medical professionals in order to remain healthy and live a long painless life. This helps to maintain the power to the medical professionals without making it evident to the patients. Parson would also agree with the notion of a hidden society because it allows doctors to voice their concern for