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The similarities between the socio-medical model and the biomedical model
How the environment influences human health and disease
How can social and medical models be used together
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The Socio-medical model focuses on social factors that have an effect on health and wellbeing and is concerned with the environmental causes of illnesses. For example, one of the causes for depression for the socio-medical model could be due to the individual’s experiences which may have left emotional trauma, causing the individual to become depressed.
The socio-medical model believes that, as a society, if living conditions are improved, health will also show improvements. This model states environmental and social factors are an imprint source of disease. For example, if a child is living in a house where there is no outdoor space for the child to become active, the child will be likely to become overweight. However, if the council makes
changes to the living conditions by having changes made to the house. This will ensure the child will have space to exercise and stay active. The socio-medical model states that shorter life expectancy and disease among the poor are a consequence of inequalities. For example, poor individuals are likely to have poor housing because if an individual has inadequate insulation and heating due to not having enough money, it will result in the increased risks of cardiovascular, respiratory and rheumatoid diseases.
In relation to health and social, social realism would create more an understanding for service providers. It would help service providers understand that all service users will have their own perceptions of reality, whether they have a mental issue, different culture, disability and so on. Service providers will provide a service with the influence of this theory, ensuring that when they are providing their service, varied perceptions and behaviours are being taken into consideration. An example of this could involve an individual with Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is mental health issue which changes the way an individual sees the natural world, and alters the way they perceive and behave. Their sense of reality becomes false, as well as their
According to the World Health Organisation (2017) the social determinants of health are defined as the conditions where people are born, grown, work and live, which also includes the health system. The social determinants of health determined populations health’s outcomes and therefore linked with health inequalities (WHO, 2017)
Although very divergent in their focus, the existing theoretical models seem to have some similarities and differences. This is especially true in regard to their factors of analysis when considering social determinants of health. For example, Krieger’s ecosocial theory encompasses and acknowledges the roles of social and psychosocial processes of disease process (WHO 2010).
Firstly, as a GP, it is crucial to explore the biopsychosocial model of health. One must realise that biological, psychological and social factors all contribute to a person’s overall health. The social dimension cannot be ignored in Anne’s case. According to the World Health Organisation, the social determinants of health are ‘the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.’ (World Health Organisation. 2013) From the information provided, one could suggest that various social factors have contributed to Anne’s obesity. Anne grew up in a deprived area of the inner city. Growing up in a deprived area does not directly cause obesity, however, social determinants are known as causes of the causes of ill health. (WMA. 2011) Obesity can be caused by consuming too many calories, leading a sedentary lifestyle and not sleeping enough. (Christian Nordqvist. 2011) These, in turn, could be referred to as consequences of living in the inner city. Studies have shown that ‘inner city parents have high levels of anxiety about neighbourhood safety. While these concerns may not entirely explain the discrepancy in activity levels between inner city and suburban children, a safe environment is crucial to increasing opportunities for physical activity.’ (Weir, L.A., Etelson, D. & Brand, D.A. 2006) Similarly, it is possible that Anne’s socio-economic status has influenced her smoking since a person below the poverty threshold is more likely than somebody at or above the threshold to be both a current smoker and not to have quit. (Flint, A.J. & Novotny, T.E. 1997)
This model considers other aspects of an individual 's life such as their culture and environment. Unlike the biomedical model, the social model tries to prevent the disease in the first place, so it focuses more on educating people and health promotion. The biomedical looks at an individual’s physical disease but the social model also looks at a person’s well-being. According to Stephan Sutton, Andrew Baum and Marie Johnston (2004) the SAGE Handbook of Health psychology ‘a combination of high psychological demands, such as time pressure and low decision latitude increases the risk of psychophysiological stress reactions and subsequent ill
The biomedical model of health has been criticised because it fails to include the psychological and social causes relating to an individual’s medical illness or health, looking only at the biological causes (Giddens and Sutton, 2013). Therefore, sociologists being aware of the impacts of social structure and lifestyle on health have put in various efforts to place the study of ‘the social’ at the core of health and healthcare examination.
Health as a Social Construction In my essay, I aim to find out why social construction affects the health of our society. Ill health may be defined as 'a bodily or mental state that is deemed undesirable'. This means that health is the condition of the body both physically and mentally. Social construction of health refers to the way health varies from one society to another.
The Biological Model is basically a physical cause for the mental health disorder. The model is concerned with factors such as disease, genetics and physiology. There are four key areas which are physical causes. These are micro-organisms, neuro-anatomy and genetics bio-chemistry. This approach tells us that if there is a physical problem, there is a possible cure. The social model treats all the social attributes as determinants of mental illness. This is a broader view of the psychiatric illness than all the
The Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are an array of components, which have an impact on ones health. These determinants include; but are not limited to, culture, biological factors, education, age, gender, etc. The SDoH are responsible for much of the world’s avoidable health inequalities (WHO, 2012). Health inequality is not about having poor health. It involves a variety of aspects including not having access to sufficient healthcare, and living in specific types of environments (Marmot & Wilkinson, 1999).
Health is a crucial element of human life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined ‘‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’’, (1998). There are a lot of elements to affect health such as: biological, physical, environmental, and sociological. Predominately, social structure and health professionals’ knowledge have a huge implication on health and illness. The two theories Functionalism and Weberianism have various social impacts to cause illness (Germov, 2014). Similarly these two theories have implications on health care system and health professionals’ perception (Scott, 2005). This essay is an analytic overview of two main sociological theories: Functionalism
Sociology of Health and Illness The sociological approaches focus on identifying the two sociological theories. We critically analysed the biomedical model and doctor-patient relationship. We also evaluated how the medical professionals exercise social control and the medical professional’s contribution to ill health. The difference between society and health is studied by sociologists in relation to health and illness.
In the event of an individual falling ill, we as a nation are very lucky to have such excellent Physicians. Sociology has a variety of different perspectives when it comes to the understanding of the honest purpose of healthcare. With the new era emerging with new technology, humans have become inattentive to the environment and health wellness. I will be explaining the importance of healthcare from the Functionalistic Perspective, targeting three main factors; sick role, gatekeeper and social class. Along with some interesting facts, and studies of the environments role in health within a community.
Heathy People 2020 emphasized that social determinants play an important role in the health of an individual. Examples of social determinants include availability of resources to meet daily needs, transportation options, access to mass media and emerging technologies, or exposure to physical hazards and toxic substances. For example, unsanitary housing is associated with exposures to mold, moistures, dust mites, or even lead. Places that are absent of sidewalks, bike paths, or recreational areas can discourage physical activity for some communities. As a result, these conditions in different settings can affect a person’s quality of life. Poor health outcomes are often corresponding to the interaction between people and their physical or social environments. For that reason, policies and interventions are implemented to ensure a healthier
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) is a theory-based framework utilized in the identification and understanding of the impacts of personal and environmental factors that dictate behavior (Langille & Rodgers, 2015). The purpose of SEM is to consider health
...o the psychosocial, biosocial and biopsychosocial models that combine aspects of other models and a holistic approach that considers the whole person to find the cause of mental distress.