If one takes the time to study the medical model view on health there is often evidence to suggest that it is one of the eldest models created to help define mental illness compared to the social model which is relatively new (Pender, 1996) and still holds dominance (Bowling, 2005). Even though there are different phases used in order to strengthen the medical model such as “biomedical model”, “disease model”, “medical model” and “preventive model” all of them are used interchangeably in the compound of literature and upon review it is discovered that the views of each model is either the same or similar. The history of the medical model can be traced back to the nineteenth century however regardless of the age the medical model view of health …show more content…
This is after taking into account that both models have altered features but there is evidence to assume that both models are not complete and do in fact suffer from major drawbacks, however the health care professionals must acknowledge this failer in order to demonstrate a coherent picture about the implications of health. As suggested by (Kelly and Charlton, 1995, p.82) “In the medical model the pathogens are viruses, or malfunctioning. In the social model they are poor housing, poverty [and] unemployment, the social model’s [view of health] is not an alternative to the discredited medical model. It is a partner in …show more content…
It is this assumption that has led to the danger being acknowledged that if one solely concentrates on either one of the two within the framework it will not identify the main problem of the individual. According to (Tones and Green, 2004) the social model “carries with it a clear commitment to social and perhaps political change focussing on social factors,” this tells us that if professions such as nurses used this approach they could understand the relationship between individuals views of health as they may suffer from social exclusion due to the fact they have a diagnoses. There is one major criticism that both models share as the view on health is very isolated, as the social model does indeed have a wider illustration regarding health however does not implement a holistic view of health compared to the medical model as its sole purposes is centred around the individuals social status. The major weakness of both models has generated an attempt to draw together a more coherent meaning of health from a combination of
Throughout this class we have talked about how various disparities can influence both how and when you need health care, be it for physical or mental reasons. Basically if you aren’t a middle class and above white male with a good job you’re basically fucked. Things such as race, gender, education, the environment you grew up in, who you know, and of course your insurance and income play a huge role in how you experience all aspects of healthcare. As explained in the Link&Phelan article, certain social factors can cuase specific health results. As explained in the article the Fundamental Causes Theory “claims that new mechanisms arise because persons of higher socioeconomic status are able to deploy wide range of resources- including knowledge, money power, prestige, and beneficial social connections- that can be used individually and collectively in different places and at different times to avoid disease and death.” What this means is basically those who are better off are more suited and have more chances to combat sickness and to elongate their lives.
The medical model was developed for the practice of medicine, many of its characteristics are being used in different health disciplines (Kielhofner, 2009, p. 235). Including the Occupational therapy profession. As a client-centered profession, it is vital to learn all you can about your clients. However, before an individual becomes a client to an OT. He/ she was a patient. As the word client and patient are used interchangeably, it is important to know the differences between the words. It is apparent when talking about health and illness the term patient always chosen. As these individuals are seeking for professional medical treatment due to their diseases.
The potential impact of social determinants of health may not seem obvious from the onset. However, the situation may be pronounced when the government does not ignite the importance of health and wellness among the general population.
In terms of what is looked for in the Biomedical model, it is believed that there is one aetiology of the disease or illness exhibited in the patient who is then treated as a passive host of the illness where only the medical technology provided by the medical practitioner can hope to cure or at least care for the patient. While at one point in time this method of treatment seemed apt due to the knowledge of the world of that period, it is not a holistic approach of intervention because the main thought behind this model, as discussed by G. L. Engel (1977:129), is that because a disease or illness is characterized by “somatic parameters, physicians need not be concerned with psychosocial issues which lie outside medicine’s responsibility and authority.” This implies that following the Biomedical model, medical practitioners do not take into account the living situations, economic standpoints, racial, gender and ethical viewpoints or the community involvement factor of the patient seeking help.
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.
Pincus, T., Esther, R., DeWalt, D.A., & Callahan, L.F., (1998) Social conditions and self-management are more powerful determinants of health than access to care. Ann Intern Med. 1998 Sep 1;129(5):406-11.
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).
I studied sociology as my major and psychology as my minor in three and half years’ Undergraduate degree in The University of New South Wales. During the studying, I gradually realized that what my previous understandings of mental illness are totally wrong. Based on my recent knowledge about mental illness, people will have different types and levels mental illness but it is a normal disease, it is not same as cancer or other fatal, such as mild depression or severe bipolar disorder. The diagnosis of name of patients’ mental illness will depends on Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)’s diagnostic criteria. Current edition includes more specific explanations of previous mental disorders, which is called DSM-5. I thought I already knew everything about mental health’s theories, experiments and other
Social determinants of health has been a large topic for many years and can have a positive and negative effect on individuals, families and communities. (World Health Organisation, 2009) The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. Social determinants have many factors and in this essay education will be the main social determinant of health discussed and how this could have an impact on the physical and mental sides of health.
Also the essay will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach as this can be an indicator if this approach is applied, whether it can address inequality and improve the health and well being of that individual or society. The essay will use the Dahlgren and Whitehead social determinants of health of need to exemplify the determinants of health showing how these determinants can influence the way health is viewed as holistic or merely an absence of disease. Lastly, the essay will analyse the evaluation with these approaches plus the importance of evaluation to present programs and future programs or activity.
The belief that the mind and body were separate, and that all diseases and disorders could be explained by science, founded this conceptual model (Sarafino, 2008). Ergo, this approach saw health care professionals focusing predominately on the physical processes and looked at biochemistry, pathology and other related fields to explain, diagnose and treat illness or disease (Wade, 2004). As a consequence, medical intervention was the primary method used to return the health of an individual to a pre-illness state ‘free from pain, disease or defect’ (Williams, 2016, p.1). However, this model did not take into account any of the external considerations that lead up to the development of certain health conditions. Nor did it consider that a person’s mind could play a role in becoming ill or getting well (Sarafino, 2008). (DOES THIS EXPLAIN IN BETTER
When one thinks of health, we think of our physical well-being, we think of the medicines we have to take to ensure our recovery in cases of illness, we think white-washed halls, doctors, nurses, candy stripers in their hospital clothes, we think vegetables and fruit juice, and the rest of that wellness-junk that the television infomercials make us buy, we think of sickness, we think of death, we think of life. We do not, or rarely, think of the underlying sociological implications of health and illness, through which we unknowingly dictate our actions, and through which our health manoeuvres through. Beyond the biological and natural conditions, through which our health is dictated, are the sociological factors affecting our wellbeing. It has been shown that the spread of diseases is heavily influenced by culture and tradition, and clearly, our socioeconomic statuses. Health therefore is much more than just an amalgamation of biological factors, but it extends to more socially-constructed sectors of our beings. And all these factors tend to procure inequalities.
Introduction: For this essay I am going to critically discuss the biomedical model as well as the social model of health and how they both relate to the lay perspectives on health and illness.
The health of an individual and their communities is affected by several elements which combine together. Whether an individual is healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment.1 To a greater extent, factors such as where an individual lives, their relationships with family and friends, the state of their environment, income, genetics and level of education all have significant impacts on health, however the more frequently considered factors such as access and use of health care facilities regularly have less of an impact.6 Determinants of health is a term which was introduced in the 1970s as part of a broader analysis of research and policy on public health. Researchers argued that there was a lot of attention and too much expenditure on health being dedicated to individuals and their illnesses, and little or no investment in populations and their health. It was decided that public health should be more concerned with social policies and social determinants than with health facilities and the outcomes of diseases.7 The determinants of health include social and economic environment, physical environment and an individual’s behaviour and characteristics. The environment of an individual determines their health, holding responsible an individual for having poor health or acknowledging them for good health is inappropriate. Individuals are not likely to be able to control several of the determinants of health. These determinants that make individuals healthy or not include the factors above, and numerous others.6
When people think of the term health most of the time people think of it in terms of the physical aspect. But, really the term health is made up from several different terms such as class, race, gender, education, and income which can all affect a person 's health in many different ways. A person 's health can be affected positively and negatively because of different social determinants.