Hierarchy and Power in Australian Health Care System: A Sociological Perspective

Running head: HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 1
Health Sociology
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 2
Introduction
The health care system is considered as the primary concerns of the government of
Australia. This is because health care is very crucial need of an individual. The Australian Health
care system is characterized by different tiers and division based on their professional
responsibility, boundaries and authority for health care provision (Germov, 2014) .This essay
will examine the dominance of power and hierarchy in Australian health care and its impact on
nurses through the functionalist and conflict sociological theory of perspective. Initially, the
essay will explore the existing hierarchy and power in relation to Australian health care system.
Subsequently it will discuss the relationship of hierarchy and power in regards to two
sociological theories functionalist and conflict perspective with its implication on health care
system. Finally, the essay will conclude with how two theories differ from the biomedical model
of health.
The implications of the theory to the health care systems will also be evaluated. There
are those significant lessons which can be implied to the health care systems from the
sociological approach. The study will give a comprehensive report on the various researches
done on the current situation of the health services and operations and try to give opinions on
how to improve them. From the findings on the sociological theories and from other suggestions
the paper provides an outline of how the medical specialists ought to apply the teachings into the
health systems of Australia. Health care is not an equal commodity to all Australian (Russell,
2007).
Hierarchy
There are some less unfortunate individuals who are not able to acquire proper
medication due to cost, and from the past, the government or the arms of power are not willing to

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 3
offer any form of assistance. Are these people not part of the country? How does the
government expect them to survive without proper health care services? However, the number of
men and women participation in total number of healthcare workforce varies sharply in distinct
roles. Accordingly, the higher number of women who participate represents the positive side but
it’s not satisfactory with their profession clarification.
The primary and secondary healthcare are the two healthcare which is in Australia.
The Primary health care involves when an individual first get contact with a health specialist. An
individual does not need a referral for this level of care, which comprises of services which are
provided by general medical specialists, dental practitioners, Indigenous health workers, nurses,
pharmacists (Annandale, 2012). They are delivered in Community Health Services, Health
centers with a community and in organized public health promotion services. Secondary health
care is not an independent body. It is a gateway to broader health systems where individuals are
referred from primary centers to seek specialized medication. Finally, that is the basic hierarchy
of healthcare in Australia.
The arrangement of services differs from State to State, common elements comprise
of strong funding mechanisms, qualified workforce, reliable information from where you base
decisions and policies together with well-maintained facilities and the possibilities to deliver
quality medicines and technologies. These professionals are from both the public and private
sectors who work together to ensure good health to all Australians (Germov, 2014). The private
sector is self-sponsored where they can cater to all their activities while the public sector is
funded by the state.
The World Health organization statistics indicates that Australia has been ranked
among the top countries with adequate health care services. Despite having a sophisticated form

HEALTH SOCIOLOGY 4
of systems, they tend to be very beneficial to the individuals. This is due to little deaths
registration among the people of Australia. The systems provide background information on age,
gender, health history, location, economic status and cultural background (Deci, 2011). There is
also a network of governance that provides support to the healthcare while enhancing, regulating
and coordinating policy in the system. This body of governance also provides funds necessary to
purchase the required facilities. This task of management and coordination involves the output of
the stakeholders of the government as well the non-governmental sectors.
Power
The study of power can help understand the institution’s system which applies in
health care systems. However, medical doctors have been dominating health care system for a
long time now. Medicine is considered as the epitome of profession that slowly introduced the
term Professional Dominance in health care service. There are other programs that are set by the
government like the Health Insurance Fund which help an individual to acquire treatment free of
charge in both the public and private health centers. Others include development funds that assist
individuals in remote areas like the Aborigines and the less unfortunate people like refugees to
acquire health care services (Germov, 2014).
Sociological Theories in Health Care Systems
Sociological theories generally explain the interactions of people, relationships and
behavior are integrated to ensure social being of individuals. Health is a state of good condition
physically, emotionally and socially. Therefore, health is a very crucial tool for maintaining good
relation and interaction with others in the society. Under the sociological theories, we have