BSS : Models of illness and triggers to consultation

Question 1

What is a limitation of the definition of disease?

Answer 1

-Patients articulate their own experiences of symptoms through own terms
-Patients can feel ill even after improvement or alleviation of disease

Question 2

Why do less people seek help from doctors than people who do? - symptom iceberg

Answer 2

-Symptoms are not the simple cues to create action e.g. go and seek professional help.
-Other aspects contribute to bodily disfunction and catalyses this

Question 3

What is illness behaviour?

Answer 3

-Used to explain the process by which patients come to seek medical help/advice

Question 4

What is a strength/limitation of medicalisation?

Answer 4

W: Increases social control that medical professionals have over people… dependance on medications
S: Opportunities for alleviation of symptoms via new treatments and legitimises certain conditions potentially receiving stigma

Question 5

What is the sick role? What was parsons view on illness?

Answer 5

-Patterns of behaviour defined as appropriate for people who are ill
> >Illness is a form of deviance which threatens the stability of society, and hence needs to be managed
»Sufferer are not a productive member of society, so this deviance needs to be policed, which is the role of medical professionals

Question 6

What are the rights and obligations of the sick role?

Answer 6

Rights:
>Excused from normal activities e.g. work
>Regarded as being in need of care and absolved of responsibilities for their illness
Obligations:
>Want to get well - temporary
>Seek professional advice and cooperate with it

Question 7

What are some criticisms of the sick role?

Answer 7

1. Applies to short term illness, chronic illness? may not return to responsibilities
2. Rejection of the sick role - people may continue with work despite illness
3. Different help-seeking methods to symptoms between people e.g. praying instead of seeking medical attention.

Question 8

What are the 3 sections of kleinmans sectors of health care systems?

Answer 8

1. Popular sector: unpaid care, lay non-professional
2. Folk sector: Traditional/faith care
3. Professional sector : Formal, under control of doctor
   NOT LINEAR

Question 9

What are some social triggers to consultation?

Answer 9

1. Occurrence of interpersonal crisis e.g. divorce
2. Perceived interference with vocational or physical activity
3. Perceived interference with social or personal relations
4. Sanctioning e.g. I didn’t want to bother you but Hiruni insisted I should come
5. Temporalising of symptom e.g. if this symptoms has not gone by Monday ill go to the doctor

Question 10

Why may individuals delay getting help?

Answer 10

1. Lack of awareness about the meaning of symptoms
2. Competing social demands
3. Problematic doctor-patient interaction e..g not taken seriously
4. Structural barriers e.g. lack of transport, care professional shortage
5. Anxiety , fear of outcome
6. Embrassment/stigma e..g STI