Session 4 Flashcards
What are Lay beliefs?
How people understand and make sense of health and illness
Socially embedded and drawn from many different sources
Constructed by people with no specialised knowledge
What is the Negative definition of perception of health?
Health equates to the absence of illness (More common in lower socioeconomic groups)
What is the Functional definition of perception of health?
Health is the ability to do certain things (More common in elderly groups)
What is the Positive definition of perception of health?
Health is a state of wellbeing and fitness (Higher socioeconomic groups. Links to health promotion)
How are Lay beliefs constantly being developed?
Draws on cultural, social, personal knowledge, personal experience and own biography
What is Health behaviour?
Activity undertaken for purpose for maintaining health and preventing illness
What is Illness behaviour?
Activity of ill person to define illness and seek solution
Define Sick role behaviour?
Formal response to symptoms, including seeking formal help and action of person as patient
Why are people who are more deprived more likely to smoke?
Incentives to quit less clear as they tend to focus on improving immediate environment
Why are people who are less deprived less likely to smoke?
Incentives are more evident for groups who could expect to remain healthy so can focus on long term investments
What is the symptom/illness iceberg?
Most symptoms never get to the doctor (Addressed by national campaigns)
What influences illness behaviours?
Culture/Social attitude Visibility/Salience of symptoms Extent to which symptoms disrupt life Frequency/Persistence of symptoms Tolerance threshold Information and understanding Availability of resources Lay referral
What is Lay referral?
Other lay people suggest to the patient they see a doctor or have certain medicine eg aromatherapy
Why is Lay referral important?
Why people may have delayed seeking help How/Why/When people consult doctor Your role as doctor in their health Use of health services and medication Use of alternative medicines
Why might people delay?
Perceptions of the illness
Severity of symptoms
Don’t recognise variation in illness and symptoms
