Topic 5:Power, Medical Profession & Global Health Industry: Functionalism View

Question 1

Functionalist View on the Role of Doctors

Answer 1

The doctor has medical skill and training
Western medicine
The doctor is concerned by the patients welfare
The doctor does not seek personal gain
The applies values universalistic
The doctor promotes affective neutrality
Doctors have a legal monopoly on knowledge and ability to practice
Doctors promote and are controlled and regulated by a set of ethics (e.g. Hippocratic Oath, General Medical Council)

Question 2

Criticisms of the Medical Profession

Answer 2

-Professionalism is about rewards for doctors (Weber), doctors demonises alternative medicines, limit entry into the profession
-Doctors are not altruistic
(marx)
-Poor Patient Care (illch and iatrogenisi)