Medical Sociology Final Exam
social construction of illness (def.) - Answer - An approach that emphasizes the important influence of social interaction and social networks on the ways that we respond to illness
temporalizing the symptomology (def.) - Answer - Setting a deadline for experience of symptoms as in: "If I'm not better by Monday I'll call the doctor"
de-medicalization (def.) - Answer - A movement that is underway to reduce the medical profession's control in several areas of life.
emotional reaction (def.) - Answer - Suchman states that three distinct processes occur when an individual first senses some health problem. There is physical pain/discomfort and the cognitive reaction that the symptoms are part of an illness. What is the third process?
The national medical association (def.) - Answer - The name of the professional society Founded in 1895 for black physicians (who were excluded from membership in the AMA).
malpractice - Answer - Litigation intended to compensate patients who have been harmed by the actions or inactions of a physician.
peer review - Answer - A quality control mechanism in which physicians scrutinize the work of their fellow physicians on a daily basis.
defensive medicine - Answer - The tendency for physicians to require every imaginable test for patients in order to protect themselves from liability in the case of a negative patient outcome.
illness behavior (def.) - Answer - the way in which symptoms are perceived, evaluated, and acted upon by a person who recognizes some pain
Theory of help-seeking behavior (def.) - Answer - behavior changes when ones wants help
What are the stages of illness experience? - Answer - -symptom experience
-assumption of the sick role
-medical care contact
-dependent patient role
-recovery and rehabilitation What are the two obligations and two exemptions in Parson's sick role? - Answer - Obligations:
-wants to get better
-expected to do to a doctor
Exemptions:
-excused from normal roles
-not responsible for illness
What kind of illnesses are neglected in Parson's sick role? - Answer - -mental illness
-chronic illness
Why have religious definitions of deviance declined? - Answer - -lack rationality
-lack overall acceptance
What is medicalization? - Answer - -things are being interpreted into medical terms
-gives medical professionals more power
What are positives and negatives of medicalization? - Answer - Positives:
-
Negatives:
-more things are labeled at sickness
-social stigmas of sickness
What is an example of illegitimate or stigmatized illegitimacy? - Answer - -having a stammer
What is an example of conditional legitimacy? - Answer - -having a cold
What are the 3 factors outlined by Dimatteo and Friedman that influence the decision to seek medical care? - Answer - -background of the patient
-patient's perception of illness
-social situation
What are 3 factors that lead to the poor utilizing health services differently than the non-
poor? - Answer - -less likely to have regular source of care
-more likely to use an ER for routine care
-they are more sick and require longer stays
What is a criticism of self-help groups? - Answer - -no significant improvements in symptoms
Which of the following statements accurately describes the labeling approach to illness?
- Answer - The definition of illness is a subjective matter worked out in particular cultural
contexts.
social construction of illness (def.) - Answer - An approach that emphasizes the important influence of social interaction and social networks on the ways that we respond to illness
temporalizing the symptomology (def.) - Answer - Setting a deadline for experience of symptoms as in: "If I'm not better by Monday I'll call the doctor"
de-medicalization (def.) - Answer - A movement that is underway to reduce the medical profession's control in several areas of life.
emotional reaction (def.) - Answer - Suchman states that three distinct processes occur when an individual first senses some health problem. There is physical pain/discomfort and the cognitive reaction that the symptoms are part of an illness. What is the third process?
The national medical association (def.) - Answer - The name of the professional society Founded in 1895 for black physicians (who were excluded from membership in the AMA).
malpractice - Answer - Litigation intended to compensate patients who have been harmed by the actions or inactions of a physician.
peer review - Answer - A quality control mechanism in which physicians scrutinize the work of their fellow physicians on a daily basis.
defensive medicine - Answer - The tendency for physicians to require every imaginable test for patients in order to protect themselves from liability in the case of a negative patient outcome.
illness behavior (def.) - Answer - the way in which symptoms are perceived, evaluated, and acted upon by a person who recognizes some pain
Theory of help-seeking behavior (def.) - Answer - behavior changes when ones wants help
What are the stages of illness experience? - Answer - -symptom experience
-assumption of the sick role
-medical care contact
-dependent patient role
-recovery and rehabilitation What are the two obligations and two exemptions in Parson's sick role? - Answer - Obligations:
-wants to get better
-expected to do to a doctor
Exemptions:
-excused from normal roles
-not responsible for illness
What kind of illnesses are neglected in Parson's sick role? - Answer - -mental illness
-chronic illness
Why have religious definitions of deviance declined? - Answer - -lack rationality
-lack overall acceptance
What is medicalization? - Answer - -things are being interpreted into medical terms
-gives medical professionals more power
What are positives and negatives of medicalization? - Answer - Positives:
-
Negatives:
-more things are labeled at sickness
-social stigmas of sickness
What is an example of illegitimate or stigmatized illegitimacy? - Answer - -having a stammer
What is an example of conditional legitimacy? - Answer - -having a cold
What are the 3 factors outlined by Dimatteo and Friedman that influence the decision to seek medical care? - Answer - -background of the patient
-patient's perception of illness
-social situation
What are 3 factors that lead to the poor utilizing health services differently than the non-
poor? - Answer - -less likely to have regular source of care
-more likely to use an ER for routine care
-they are more sick and require longer stays
What is a criticism of self-help groups? - Answer - -no significant improvements in symptoms
Which of the following statements accurately describes the labeling approach to illness?
- Answer - The definition of illness is a subjective matter worked out in particular cultural
contexts.
