Explain how sociological perspectives are applied to the understanding of health and social care.
Sociology is a systematic study of the human society, it includes studying interactions among the
social structures, institutions, relations and experiences that happen in every day life. Sociology
helps understand the incidence and experiences of illnesses and health in societies based on a
variety of meanings, as well as this sociology also helps to understand the social organisation of the
delivery of healthcare and they differential access to healthcare resources.
The specific application of sociology to health and social care, also known as medical sociology, is a
key distinction in this field. Medical sociology is divided into two parts, there is the sociology in
medicine as well as the sociology of medicine. The sociological studies in medicine involve applying
sociological theory and concepts towards better understanding of health related problems, creating
a more informed public health policy. On the other hand the sociological studies of medicine involve
the better understanding of societies through the lens of the health problems, medical settings and
the organisation of the healthcare system. This is cause the movement away from a directly defined
approach towards a more theoretically oriented approach. The distinction between the studies in
medicine and the studies of medicine are widely important however it is difficult to tease apart
orientations in practice as the medical sociologists are engaged in advancing sociology through the
insights from health and healthcare as well as their knowledge to create practical change (Ivy Lynn
Bourgeault, 2010).
Founding traditions of Durkheim, Weber, Marx as well as feminists, anti-racists and postmodernist
scholars all contribute towards studies in sociological perspectives as well as applying them to the
health and social care system.
Durkheim studied functionalism, the functionalist approach looks at how good health and effective
medical care are essential for society’s ability to function. Ill-health can impair the ability to perform
roles in society therefore have too many people ill, Society is functioning and stability will then start
to suffer. As well as this, poor medical care can likewise become dysfunctional for society as people
who are ill have greater difficulty in becoming healthier and on the other hand people who are
healthy are more likely to become unwell (University of Minnesota libraries publishing, 2010).
Marx came up with his Marxism theory, this includes the studies of medical care and how it
emphasises political power and economic dominance, Marx’s theory is about how the health
system mirrors societies class structure. This is shown through to control over the health institution,
the stratification of health workers and the limited occupational mobility into health professions.
The capitalist economic system and the private sector are protected, the private sector costs
therefore those who can afford the private sector will receive better treatment as well as quicker
attention. This means that society with money receive better medical attention than those who
cannot afford it however medical ideology helps to maintain a class structure and the patterns of
domination (Ann Intern Med, 1978).
Feminism is the lens of gender analysis which shows how the female gender is a risk factor for
increased inequity. The affects of gender discrimination as well as poverty are all linked together to
the ill health of women (Bartley M, Sacker A, Firth D.et al; Doyal L), therefore gender inequality and
discrimination can harm the health of women directly and indirectly throughout the life-cycle (Doyal
L, 1995). Discrimination also means that the ability to exercise rights are ignored therefore
eliminating specific inequities should be the central theme throughout public health care systems.
The process of identifying and eliminating gender related in equities, especially those related to
oppression and discrimination, I likely to raise awareness of these issues that can happen around the
workplace (W.A.Rogers, 2006).
Explain how sociological perspectives contribute to the understanding of society.
, As well as sociological perspectives applying to the health and social care services, it also helps us to
understand the way in which society is lead and portrayed.
Functionalism states how everyone in society needs a role for society to function smoothly and
effectively however some people are unable to work due to factors such as illnesses, disabilities and
mental health issues meaning that there are high levels of joblessness and poverty. This relates to
Marxism and how there is a divide between the rich and the poor.
Those who are unable to work are unable to make an income therefore rely on the benefits system
in the society so that they can still eat and live properly. However this divide between the rich and
the poor means that the rich receive better education as well as better medical attention than those
without money. For example, The rich are able to pay for private education as well as private
healthcare, this means that they can afford to prioritise their education and receive a more one-to-
one learning than those who are unable to afford a private education, therefore their learning is
more effective meaning that they are more likely to succeed during their education than someone
who has not received the one-to-one mentoring. In addition, the rich affording private health care
means that they will receive a more better and quicker medical attention than those who cannot
afford the private health care. This causes those who are poor to have to wait longer to receive the
attention they need, however many of those who are poor may suffer from illnesses and disabilities
as thy cannot work. This means that those who suffer from an illness and disabilities need more
medical attention than what they are receiving, however they cannot afford to pay for this medical
attention meaning that they are unable to live their life to the best of their capabilities although the
rich may not need the medical attention as much as some of the poorer ones do.
Overall, the richer are able to keep becoming richer whilst being prioritised and receiving more
benefits out of society than what the poor are given. This means that the poorer end of society will
never be able to reach the same standard as the richer side of society as they are never given the
same opportunities that the rich can buy their way towards.
Compare the biomedical model of health with an alternative model of health.
The biomedical model of health focuses on the eradication of illnesses through the diagnosis and the
treatment on the specific patient. This model centres the individual and uses its core structure of
analysis to reduce the symptoms and physical signs of the illness, primarily focusing on the
treatment to cure the disease. This model defines health narrowly stating that health is the absence
of disease.
On the other hand, the social model of health focuses more on the environment, social and the
environmental determinants of health. This model is based on understanding that in order for health
gains, peoples basic needs need to be met first of all. Therefore it involves a broad range of social,
environmental and economic factors, not just the biomedical factors, taking into account all the
factors that affect health and produce inequities.
(Comparison of social and medical models of health, 2018).
The Biomedical model is the most common way that health professionals identify the nature of
medical conditions. It has been shown to be successful for diagnosing and treating various diseases,
this is because it focuses on scientific knowledge and research therefore health professionals are
able to focus on cures for illnesses and diseases. In addition, this model also acknowledges the fact
that health can be restored through the use of surgery, drugs and treatment. However this model
does not include any of the factors such as the psychosocial factors which is shown to be one of the
main influences for catching illnesses and diseases. This model does not take into consideration the
individual’s health as it treats both mind and the body differently, therefore thinking that finding a
cure is more important than finding a prevention. As this model focuses on treatment of the
symptoms from illnesses and diseases it therefore fails to address illnesses and diseases that do not
Sociology is a systematic study of the human society, it includes studying interactions among the
social structures, institutions, relations and experiences that happen in every day life. Sociology
helps understand the incidence and experiences of illnesses and health in societies based on a
variety of meanings, as well as this sociology also helps to understand the social organisation of the
delivery of healthcare and they differential access to healthcare resources.
The specific application of sociology to health and social care, also known as medical sociology, is a
key distinction in this field. Medical sociology is divided into two parts, there is the sociology in
medicine as well as the sociology of medicine. The sociological studies in medicine involve applying
sociological theory and concepts towards better understanding of health related problems, creating
a more informed public health policy. On the other hand the sociological studies of medicine involve
the better understanding of societies through the lens of the health problems, medical settings and
the organisation of the healthcare system. This is cause the movement away from a directly defined
approach towards a more theoretically oriented approach. The distinction between the studies in
medicine and the studies of medicine are widely important however it is difficult to tease apart
orientations in practice as the medical sociologists are engaged in advancing sociology through the
insights from health and healthcare as well as their knowledge to create practical change (Ivy Lynn
Bourgeault, 2010).
Founding traditions of Durkheim, Weber, Marx as well as feminists, anti-racists and postmodernist
scholars all contribute towards studies in sociological perspectives as well as applying them to the
health and social care system.
Durkheim studied functionalism, the functionalist approach looks at how good health and effective
medical care are essential for society’s ability to function. Ill-health can impair the ability to perform
roles in society therefore have too many people ill, Society is functioning and stability will then start
to suffer. As well as this, poor medical care can likewise become dysfunctional for society as people
who are ill have greater difficulty in becoming healthier and on the other hand people who are
healthy are more likely to become unwell (University of Minnesota libraries publishing, 2010).
Marx came up with his Marxism theory, this includes the studies of medical care and how it
emphasises political power and economic dominance, Marx’s theory is about how the health
system mirrors societies class structure. This is shown through to control over the health institution,
the stratification of health workers and the limited occupational mobility into health professions.
The capitalist economic system and the private sector are protected, the private sector costs
therefore those who can afford the private sector will receive better treatment as well as quicker
attention. This means that society with money receive better medical attention than those who
cannot afford it however medical ideology helps to maintain a class structure and the patterns of
domination (Ann Intern Med, 1978).
Feminism is the lens of gender analysis which shows how the female gender is a risk factor for
increased inequity. The affects of gender discrimination as well as poverty are all linked together to
the ill health of women (Bartley M, Sacker A, Firth D.et al; Doyal L), therefore gender inequality and
discrimination can harm the health of women directly and indirectly throughout the life-cycle (Doyal
L, 1995). Discrimination also means that the ability to exercise rights are ignored therefore
eliminating specific inequities should be the central theme throughout public health care systems.
The process of identifying and eliminating gender related in equities, especially those related to
oppression and discrimination, I likely to raise awareness of these issues that can happen around the
workplace (W.A.Rogers, 2006).
Explain how sociological perspectives contribute to the understanding of society.
, As well as sociological perspectives applying to the health and social care services, it also helps us to
understand the way in which society is lead and portrayed.
Functionalism states how everyone in society needs a role for society to function smoothly and
effectively however some people are unable to work due to factors such as illnesses, disabilities and
mental health issues meaning that there are high levels of joblessness and poverty. This relates to
Marxism and how there is a divide between the rich and the poor.
Those who are unable to work are unable to make an income therefore rely on the benefits system
in the society so that they can still eat and live properly. However this divide between the rich and
the poor means that the rich receive better education as well as better medical attention than those
without money. For example, The rich are able to pay for private education as well as private
healthcare, this means that they can afford to prioritise their education and receive a more one-to-
one learning than those who are unable to afford a private education, therefore their learning is
more effective meaning that they are more likely to succeed during their education than someone
who has not received the one-to-one mentoring. In addition, the rich affording private health care
means that they will receive a more better and quicker medical attention than those who cannot
afford the private health care. This causes those who are poor to have to wait longer to receive the
attention they need, however many of those who are poor may suffer from illnesses and disabilities
as thy cannot work. This means that those who suffer from an illness and disabilities need more
medical attention than what they are receiving, however they cannot afford to pay for this medical
attention meaning that they are unable to live their life to the best of their capabilities although the
rich may not need the medical attention as much as some of the poorer ones do.
Overall, the richer are able to keep becoming richer whilst being prioritised and receiving more
benefits out of society than what the poor are given. This means that the poorer end of society will
never be able to reach the same standard as the richer side of society as they are never given the
same opportunities that the rich can buy their way towards.
Compare the biomedical model of health with an alternative model of health.
The biomedical model of health focuses on the eradication of illnesses through the diagnosis and the
treatment on the specific patient. This model centres the individual and uses its core structure of
analysis to reduce the symptoms and physical signs of the illness, primarily focusing on the
treatment to cure the disease. This model defines health narrowly stating that health is the absence
of disease.
On the other hand, the social model of health focuses more on the environment, social and the
environmental determinants of health. This model is based on understanding that in order for health
gains, peoples basic needs need to be met first of all. Therefore it involves a broad range of social,
environmental and economic factors, not just the biomedical factors, taking into account all the
factors that affect health and produce inequities.
(Comparison of social and medical models of health, 2018).
The Biomedical model is the most common way that health professionals identify the nature of
medical conditions. It has been shown to be successful for diagnosing and treating various diseases,
this is because it focuses on scientific knowledge and research therefore health professionals are
able to focus on cures for illnesses and diseases. In addition, this model also acknowledges the fact
that health can be restored through the use of surgery, drugs and treatment. However this model
does not include any of the factors such as the psychosocial factors which is shown to be one of the
main influences for catching illnesses and diseases. This model does not take into consideration the
individual’s health as it treats both mind and the body differently, therefore thinking that finding a
cure is more important than finding a prevention. As this model focuses on treatment of the
symptoms from illnesses and diseases it therefore fails to address illnesses and diseases that do not
