Session 1 - Biopsychosocial Model & Social Context of Illness Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the medical model regarding the link between chronic illness and disability?
What are the disadvantages of this model?
- Disability is a deviation from medical norms
- Disadvantages are direct consequences of impairment and disabilities.
- Medical intervention is required
- Lack of recognition of social & psychological factors
- Stereotyping and stigmatizing language
What is the social model surrounding the link between chronic illness and disability?
What are the disadvantages of this approach?
- Problems are a product of the environment and its failure to adjust.
- Disability is a form of social oppression
- ‘Special needs’ is only special in a particular context.
- Overly drawn view of society
- Failure to recognise the realities.
What are the international classifications of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps?
Impairment: concerned with abnormalities in the structure or function of the body
Disability: concerned with performance of activites
Handicap: concerned with broader social and psychological conseuqences of living with impairment and disability.
What are the key components of the International Classification of Functions, Disability and Health?
Body structures and functions
Activities (including difficulties/limitations)
Participation (and involvement in life situations).
What is meant by a NEGATIVE definition of health?
Absence of illness
What is meant by a FUNCTIONAL definition of health?
The ability to do certain things
What is meant by a POSITIVE definition of health?
A state of wellbeing and fitness
E.g SMOKING - those who adopt this approach are more likely to see quitting as a rational choice.
What are two distinct issues associated with lay epidemiology and illness?
- Understanding why and how illness happened.
- Understanding why it happened to a particular person at a particular time.
What is meant by HEALTH BEHAVIOUR in the context of lay beliefs?
Activity undertaken for the purpose of maintaining health and preventing illness.
What is meant by ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR in the context of lay beliefs?
The activity of an ill person to define illness and seek a solution.
What is meant by SICK ROLE BEHAVIOUR in the context of lay beliefs?
The formal response to symptoms, including seeking formal help and action of the person as a patient.
What is meant by the symptom or illness iceberg?
The idea that most symptoms experienced by a patient never get to a doctor because either they do nothing about them, or they try and remedy matters using OTC medication.
List some factors that influence illness behaviour (8)
- Culture e.g. stoical attitude
- Visibility of symptoms
- Extent to which symptoms disrupt life
- Frequency of the symptoms
- Tolerance threshold
- Information and understanding
- Availability of resources
- Lay referral
What is meant by LAY REFERRAL?
The chain of advice-seeking contacts which the sick make with other lay people prior to, or instead of, seeking help from health care professionals.
Adherence to treatment - outline the 3 broad groups and what is meant by these.
- Deniers & Distancers = either ‘deny’ having a condition, or say that theirs isn’t the ‘proper’ one. Often claim that symptoms don’t really interfere with everyday life.
- Acceptors = accept advice completely.
- Pragmatists = use preventative mediciation when symptoms require it.
What is the WHO definition of health?
A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
When talking about the causes of the association between ill-health and deprivation, what is meant by
ARTEFACT?
Observed associations are not genuine, instead they exist because of the ways in which health and deprivation are measured.
When talking about the causes of the association between ill-health and deprivation, what is meant by
SOCIAL SELECTION?
Health determines socio-economic status instead of the other way around.
In other words, if you are in poor health you are less likely to be able to work and so more deprived.
When talking about the causes of the association between ill-health and deprivation, what is meant by
BEHAVIOURAL / CULTURAL causes?
The notion that people in deprived areas are more likely to smoke, eat poor diets and not exercise.
When talking about the causes of the association between ill-health and deprivation, what is meant by
PSYCHOSOCIAL causes?
The idea that the stress of working in poorly paid, low status jobs with little autonomy creates biological changes in the body which in turn change to patho-physical changes.
When talking about the causes of the association between ill-health and deprivation, what is meant by
MATERIAL causes?
This is looking at the direct effects of poverty and focuses on a lack of choice.
What are the infant mortality and life expectancy rates in England and Wales?
Infant Mortality: <5 per 1000
Life Expectancy: c.80 years.
What is meant by the
BIOMEDICAL MODEL?
- That illness is understood in terms of biological and physiological processes.
- That individuals are not to blame for their conditions.
- That treatment involves physical intervention, and is the responsibility of the medicial profession.
- That there is a limited role for psychology.
What is meant by the
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL?
- That illness can be caused by a combination of biological (bacteria), psychological (stress) and social (employment) factors.
- That the individual has a responsibility in their own health (because of the numerous factors).
- That the whole person should be treated (not just the physical changes.
- That the responsibility for treatment is shared between the doctor and patient.
- That psychological factors are important when looking at the cause of illness, and not just considering consequences.
