Biopsychosocial Model and Biomedical Research

The assignment provided delves into the biopsychosocial model and its significance in biomedical research. It examines various strategies and policies adopted to understand individual problems and reduce illness in society, such as the National Mental Health Policy (1992) and National Rural Health Strategy (1991). The summary also highlights the importance of developing a robust biomedical implants registry and creating an integrated biomedical and behavioral theory of functioning and disability.

Essay on –
Hierarchy and power are
intrinsic to the current
healthcare system in Australia

INTRODUCTION
Australian’s health care system has an affordable and comprehensive framework. In
which both governmental agencies and private organisations are actively contributing to give
better hospital and medical treatment to the people. To maintain qualitative services and make
them free, the administration offers funding for three components such as pharmaceutical
products, medical services and treatment process. Hierarchy of the organisation refers to the
process, in which organisations perform their activities (Adedeji & Vicente-Crespo, 2017). In the
healthcare industry, hierarchy refers to the interaction level between physicians and patients. On
the other hand, power refers to the authority of implementing changes or organising activities.
The present essay is mainly focused on the statement, “Hierarchy and power are intrinsic to the
current health care system in Australia”. There are various sociological theories and biomedical
models will be applied and its impact on hierarchy and power of health care services and health
practitioners will be examined.
MAIN BODY
Sociological Theories
The healthcare organisations are working to provide services for protecting, treating and
diagnosing their physical and medical problems. There are various sociological theories that help
practitioners in determining illness on the basis of social factors. One such theory is functionalist
perspective. It helps in analysing the factors that disturb the balance of society. Customs,
tradition, norms and institute are considered as the key elements of this theory.
As per the view of Aloufi and et.al., (2017), functionalist perspective helps in gaining a
detailed understanding of the social factors that affect functionality and create a negative impact.
It also provides supports in outlining the assumptions based on which the practitioners provide
medical services. On the contradictory, Ashcroft & Van Katwyk, (2016), argued that as per the
theory, individual voluntarily accept their sickness, however, they resist dependencies and also
neglect their sickness if their chronic health status is stigmatised. Thus, in today’s period, the
concept is totally obsolete and identified as ineffective in order to fulfil social responsibilities.
In accordance with the views of Gonzalez-Bulnes and et.al. (2016), conflict perspective
helps to overcome such sickness. According to their research, conflict theory helps in
determining the social diversity on the basis of economic and political factors. Different structure

supports the problems that are leading the social division, conflicts and inequality into the
society. This is mostly applied in order to encourage stability. For this, various frameworks are
also considered. However, as per the views of Johnston & Dixon (2014), it is focused on the
political, social, and equality of the society. As a result of this, most of the time, it detracts the
functional structure and creates conflicts. It is not able to shape the operations of the society.
As per the view of Kim and et.al. (2014), interactions perspective is considered highly
suitable it is based on the social understanding of the people’s health expectation and
requirements. In this process, various factors are considered such as human interpreting skills,
situation and co-presentation. The major emphasis of this style lies in building mutual
understanding among individuals and maximise their participation. In the constructivist theory
emphasises more upon developing a mutual understanding and knowledge. So that healthcare
practitioners can provide highly effective treatment to satisfy patient healthcare requirements
(Truong and et.al., 2014). Most of the pharmaceutical companies are considering this theory in
order to produce their products. They are considering symptoms for recognising diseases, on the
basis of that they are manufacturing medicines and making money. If symbols are misinterpreted
then it will affect the whole process and results in overestimation. Along with this, it also
influences the trust and reliability of individuals from the organisation.
Apart from this, Lappalainen and et.al. (2015) explored the labelling approach. Labelling,
which assists practitioners in determining the mental condition of the individual. The theory is
based on the basis of social- fulfilling prophecy and they are able to analyse the framework. It
works on the fixed structure, the development process is based on the detailed analysis of the
process. Along with this, it supports the process of maintaining a record in order to control them.
On the other side Lu and et.al. (2016), stated that it does not help to explain the requirement of
the primary deviance due to which most of the people failed to understand their structure. It
creates a huge impact on the set of rules that are implemented.
Biomedical model analysis
The biomedical model is working on three biological factors such as diagnosis,
prevention and intervention. It is considered as a conceptual framework through which experts
are able to develop their understanding of the existing structure and identify loopholes. Some of
the widely considered models are like bio-psychosocial, ecological, primary health care and

social or new public health model. According to the Marafino, Boscardin & Dudley (2015), the
biopsychosocial model is mainly focused on the three factors such as social, psychological and
physiological. Through gathering information with the help of these three standards, the situation
of health influence, diseases and healthcare systems are analysed. It supports in developing the
picture of issues along with their impact. Through gathering detailed knowledge about the
condition, it supports incorporating suitable model. On the contradictory of the above viewpoint,
Munkhdalai and et.al. (2015), stated that in this process illness factors are assumed, in case of a
mental health condition it maximises the stigma instead of minimising it. It increases the diseases
of the individual and also confuses the treatment process.
In order to overcome limitations, the socio-medical model can be considered. According
to the Truong and et.al. (2014), it is based on the lifestyle of the individual. Under this model, the
issues are analysed on the basis of their activities. On the basis of that necessary measures are
considered. This is considered by most of the professionals, it also helps in encouraging people
in order to recover faster. On the contradictory of the above viewpoint Aloufi and et.al. (2017),
while considering this model an individual is unable to determine the total time required by the
process, due to which the treatment and prevention process gets badly affected. Along with this,
there are no standard methods and approaches are also not available due to which diagnosis
results are not effective.
According to the Lappalainen and et.al. (2015), all the above-mentioned weaknesses can
be easily overcome with the help of primary health care. It is working in order to provide cost-
effective and better medical facilities. For this government of Australia is spending a large
amount, due to affordable services people are able to maintain a long-term relationship with the
service providers. Along with this, services are provided by specialised and expertise due to
which success rate of the treatment increases. The services provided through this model are able
to produce instant outcomes. Therefore, it is considered as wide extent. On the contradictory of
the above point, Marafino, Boscardin & Dudley (2015), stated that these models are not provided
with advanced technologies; along with this, their management is also ineffective. All these
factors create a negative impact on their overall outcomes and decrease the satisfaction level of
the patients. Gradual decrease of staff is also affecting their service quality and increasing
obstacles such as ineffective management and equipment, lack of staff, etc.

Impact of hierarchy and powers
The role of sociological theories and biomedical models are significant on the hierarchy
and power of the health care system of Australia. With the help of these approaches, they are
able to increase the smoothness of the healthcare framework. According to the Truong and et.al.
(2014), sociological theories help the practitioner's in order to understand the culture, values and
traditions of the individuals. In this process symbols, interpretation is also considered. On the
basis of this process, illness of the individuals is identified. During this process, various
limitations are also analysed. Adedeji & Vicente-Crespo (2017), stated that these are unable to
produce effective outcomes.
In this process, practitioner's and patient's participation is not equal. In the healthcare
industry, the medical staff takes all the steps by asking questions to the patients. However, the
patients are not interested either in asking questions or answering them. Considering the aspect
of hierarchy, this issue creates a direct impact on the service quality. In today's period, various
steps are considered in order to reduce the hierarchy. One of these includes an examination of the
patients before diagnosing them. In this process, various situations are considered in order to
gain detailed knowledge about their problems. It also promotes the involvement of patients.
According to Gonzalez-Bulnes and et.al. (2016), the practitioners also follow the concept
of equality in order to provide their services. In this process, various free healthcare service
camps are organised to provide healthcare to the people who belong to a poor background and
cannot afford costly medical services. With the help of this process, they are able to provide
effective medical practices to their patients without considering their social problems. Physicians
are providing their services honestly due to which death rate has been controlled significantly. In
contrast to this, Marafino, Boscardin & Dudley (2015), argued that financial background is still a
major issue in the provision of healthcare. During these days, doctors are considering the
financial status of the patients before diagnosis and treatment process. They are providing
treatment on the basis of their financial status. It leads the healthcare industry towards the
scenario of inequality and creates social injustice. In order to overcome these issues, the
administrative bodies are considering the concept of free medical services. In this process,
people are able to obtain free treatment. For this, the government agency provides the funds. It
helps in strengthening the services of the healthcare system of Australia and maximising their
power.

Truong and et.al. (2014), stated that symbolic interactionist approach is one of the most
suitable approaches in order to reduce the size of hierarchy and also help in maximising the
power of the healthcare system. In this process, healthcare professionals are usually represented
with a specific code. They are provided with the power through which they are able to take
necessary steps. This helps in making people aware by organising camps and movements. In this
sequence, healthcare system of Australia has organised various movements (Advantages and
disadvantages of the biopsychological model, 2017). In order to implement these strategies, they
are considering all the theories and models. It helps in determining the influencing factors based
on culture, tradition, institute, etc.
By considering all these strategies to maintain hierarchy and power of the healthcare
system, they are providing services in remote and rural areas as well. With the help of this step,
they are able to influence rural people with their medical services. It helps them to reduce the
hierarchy distance, as the maximum numbers of people are able to understand the need of these
services and treatments. Due to this, they are discussing their issues and problems with the
physicians and interacting with them (Lappalainen and et.al., 2015). It helps the service
providers to improve standardisation of the system. However, people belonging from the lower
financial background are not able to afford these services. Along with this, they are also unable
to approach healthcare professionals which restrains from availing quality treatment. For this
problem, administration system is organising various free healthcare camps with the help of
which poor people are able to get quality services at affordable price.
In this process, the group identifies various cultural and social challenges. It creates a
huge impact on the hierarchy of the system and influences their power. This involves the
application of models such as biomedical analysis model (Munkhdalai and et.al. 2015). On the
basis of above research, it can be critically analysed that sociological theories and biomedical
models play a significant role in order to reduce hierarchy distance and increase power. Through
the application of these steps, they are able to gain the interest of the people and make them
aware of the illness risks.
Implication on the Australian healthcare system
The Australian healthcare system plays a significant role in providing healthcare services.
According to Truong and et.al. (2014), in their system, the administration is implementing

various strategies and policies in order to overcome their issues and provide effective healthcare
services. Some of them are National Aboriginal Health Strategy (1989), National Women's
Health Policy (1989), National Mental Health Policy (1992) and National Rural Health Strategy
(1991).
As per the views of Munkhdalai and et.al. (2015), with the help of these steps, they are
able to improve the health condition of the nation. Through these policies and strategies, they are
able to improve quality of services and also help in making the services affordable. These all are
applied after analysing various challenges of the health care system. Apart from that, various
other models and theories are also applied. With the help of these steps, they are able to provide
standardisation. There are various awareness programs as well which are organised by the group.
Lu and et.al. (2016), stated that the major emphasis of organising these activities is on
empowering the communities to tackle the health issue. Along with this, they provide
alternatives to the society to overcome these issues. By implementing these strategies, they have
controlled communicable and concurrent diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, measles and
tuberculosis, etc. up to 90%. Along with this, it has also supported organisations in raising the
awareness of people regarding infectious diseases like AIDS, HIV, etc. Through these strategies,
the death rate of Australia could be controlled to a great extent. This has improved the mental
and physical condition of the people. In order to reduce hierarchy and increase power, different
sociological theories and biomedical models are considered. According to the Johnston & Dixon
(2014), with the help of sociological theories and biomedical model, healthcare professionals are
able to determine new challenges and on the basis of them, effective measures are taken. On the
basis of the gathered information, education programs are organised for the local communities.
As per the views of Kim and et.al. (2014), various other programs are also organised by
the health care system in order to improve the condition of the society. These include drugs and
alcohol detoxification camps and centres. With the help of these initiatives, the healthcare system
is able to reduce the count of the addicted persons. This further leads to the growth of the nation
by making the population healthy. On the basis of above factors, it can be analysed that these all
approaches make a positive impact on the hierarchy of the system. They also make the patients
more interactive with the healthcare system. Marafino, Boscardin & Dudley (2015), asserted
that through various strategies and policies, the government has provided power to the healthcare

system. Due to this, they are able to take appropriate decisions regarding management and
operations.
However, Lu and et.al. (2016) found negative aspects of the increased power of
healthcare system. In today's scenario, medical services are being considered as a major source
of profit. They are considering technologies in order to increase their profitability. Hence, the
focus has shifted towards gaining profit rather than providing quality service to the patients.
Along with this, several pharmaceutical products are also affecting human health negatively.
Kim and et.al., (2014), stated that all these practices are creating a negative impact on the society
regarding the services and honesty of the health care system and practices. Birth control pills are
considered competitive factors (Adedeji and Vicente-Crespo, 2017). It is regarded as an
advancement in the field of healthcare. However, it is also considered as a life cycle disturbing
tool (Lappalainen and et.al., 2015). Apart from that, it also creates a negative impact on health
and leads to problems like cancer and infertility.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of the above essay, it can be concluded that the healthcare system of
Australia is offering free services to the citizens. In this process, government organisations are
also offering support for raising the standard of their services. In this process, various
sociological theories and biomedical models are also utilised such as functionalist, conflict,
psychological, social, etc. With the help of these strategies, they are able to create a huge impact
on the hierarchy and power of the groups. By involving these approaches, they are able to
develop the interest of the individuals. It supports in understanding their problems and reducing
illness in the society. In this process, various strategies and policies are also adopted such as
National Mental Health Policy (1992) and National Rural Health Strategy (1991). Apart from
that, various detoxification camps are also arranged for reducing the count of alcoholic people in
Australia.

REFERENCES
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Online
Advantages and disadvantages of the biopsychological model. (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-the-biopsychosocial-
model.html