Social Support In The Film Wit

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The film Wit clearly brings the biopsychosocial model to life. This model looks at both health and illness intertwined; and how biological, social, and psychogical factors play a role in one’s health. The main character, Vivian Bearing, was not very kind to people throughout her life. She also did not have many friends while growing up and going to school. Social support is important in maintaining health because it can help lower stress, and help one cope with a terminal illness. There are many types of social support such as tangible assistance, informational support, and emotional support. Emotional support is important as a person is going through a stressful situation, such as dealing with the burden of cancer. People who are generally …show more content…

Instead of caring for her, they learned from her. In one scene, around four medical students were all touching her stomach at once while trying to learn more about her disease. On the other hand, the nurses are there to care for the paitent. The only one in the film who was ever nice to Vivian was her nurse, Susan Monahan. In order for a hospital to function, there needs to be physicans, nurses, and an administration team. The nurses are there to make sure the patients remain emotionally and physically stable. Susan Monahan simply kept Vivian company. Whenever Vivian was nauseaus or felt overwhelemed with coming to terms with the illness, Susan would make sure to comfort her. She took the time to get to know her personally, and was the first to know that Vivian did not wish to be resisitated when her heart stopped beating. This was a very difficult decision that Vivian had to make, yet it was what she …show more content…

These different factors play a role in how a person assesses their certain disease. In the film Wit, the cancer patient Vivian did not have strong social support, and suffered greatly with the treatment she received. The hospital staff is so important in helping a patient deal with the process of dying. Since Vivian had no friends or family there to visit her, the medical staff were the only ones there to help her through. Unfortunetly, most doctors only feel the need to cure the patient, whereas the nursing staff is there to care for the patient and help them mentally through the entire process. Death and the process of dying brings anger and depression, as one is trying to cope with the reality that they have a terminal illness. Health psychology helps people with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, in hopes that they have a better chance in staying disease free. It also helps with the treatment process and the health care system, in hopes to improve the quality of life for people who are terminally ill. The film Wit showed the harsh reality of cancer treatment and the health care system. With the right psychological and social support, people will have an easier time accepting their illness and feeling at peace with themselves as they enter their last dying

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