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NUR210 Role of Power and Hierarchy in Medical Sociology

   

Added on  2020-03-16

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Running head: ROLE OF POWER AND HIERARCHY IN MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY1IMPACTS OF POWER AND HIERARCHY IN MEDICAL SOCIOLOGYName:Course:Institution:Date:
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ROLE OF POWER AND HIERARCHY IN MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY2Hierarchical arrangement in the society refers to how people are classified based on their wealth and power (Grusky & Weishaar, 2014). One of the critical aspects of sociology is to studydifferent kinds of social stratification and types of inequality. Inequity refers to a situation in which people have unequal access to resources in the society. The resources can either be economic and political, such as healthcare, education, jobs, housing (Bottomore & Nisbet, 1978).The study of the sociology helps in understanding the changing social aspects within communities, the source of conflict and problems within the same settings, and finally the possible solutions to the challenges affecting the community. The sociological study is essential in the understanding interaction between different classes and why such stratifications exist. Thisessay focuses on the power and hierarchy in the healthcare sector (Australia) based on the sociological theories and concepts. Healthcare is one industry that people frequent throughout their lives. Every culture and group view health care differently based on the respective people's belief (Allen et al., 2016). Sociologist view health care from three perspectives: the functionalist, conflict and interactionist points of view. These three theories can be easily implemented in the healthcare sector. According to the In Allen et al. (2016), sociology is defined as the scientific study of sociologicalbehaviors in human groups. Sociology is concerned with the relationships in human groups, how the interaction affects human behavior and generally, how society develops and evolve (Allen et al., 2016). These are the basis of development of functionalist, conflict and interactionist theoriesin healthcare. A sociological approach based on the functionalist perspective clarifies the way in which the society is stratified to preserve its ability (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). A functionalist perspective maintains that being sick must be regulated so that not too many individuals are
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ROLE OF POWER AND HIERARCHY IN MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY3released from the societal role within the same period (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). If at all situation like this occur, society will lose balance, interfering with its stability and functionality. Talcott Parsons, a renowned sociologist for its contribution to the functionalist theory, explained the behavior that sick people should demonstrate (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). It is also regarded as the sick role. In everyday occurrences, when people are suffering, they request for permission either in their workplaces or school to go home or seek medical intervention. When people have a role to play in the real world, they are obliged to recover from their sickness and get back to work or school. If in any case, the sick person fails to take the responsibility of trying to get better, either by not following the medical advice or is reluctant to get better, then the person is perceived as not sick, and therefore, do not fall under the ill role (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). According to the Parsons theory, physicians are the gatekeepers for the sick role, whereas the doctors are responsible for checking the ill role and confirm the illness, and afterward, help them get well. (Rothman et al., 2008) At the end of the day, it is really up to the patient to seek physician's assistance and follow the doctor's instructions in order to get better (Rothman et al., 2008). In conflict perspective, sociological approach shoulders that social behavior is best comprehended when there is a struggle over limited resources between human groups (Rothman et al., 2008). From this perspective, inequities exist in the healthcare industry regarding service delivery. Most often than not, wealthy people would get better health care compared to the less fortunate in the society. Also, people from poor backgrounds are likely to contract illnesses, compared to their wealthy counterparts due to the environmental factors. When they seek medical assistance, the kind of poor service they receive makes it even harder for them to recover quickly. In some cases, the poor do not have the finances to seek for treatment (Cooke &Philpin, 2008).
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ROLE OF POWER AND HIERARCHY IN MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY4An interactionist perspectives in sociology is based on the daily forms of social relations to clarify society as a whole (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). From this point of view, patients are active, regularly seeking the service of a healthcare professional. Interaction perspective also takes into consideration how doctors became who they are to be in the healthcare profession (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). Doctors go to medical school to gain medical facts before being acknowledged as "Doctors." As such, they command respect from the patients. This makes it convenient for the patients to follow the instructions of the doctor. (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). An essential perspective in healthcare is the biomedical model, sometimes called biomechanical model of health. The model is defined as a precise extent of health and defines a disease as the inability of the body to perform its function normally due to a biological breakdown. The model considers the patient as a body distinct from the mind and external consideration that can be handled and explored for treatment, according to the United States National Research Council (1997). The treatment, therefore, lies dominantly in the hands of the medical professionals and takes place in a medical set up. The biomedical model considers biological factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercises as absolute causes of ill health. The model insists that medical practitioners with proper training are the only proper personnel that can deal with sick people (Gaharian et al.,2017). Doctors have power in the biomechanical model and are in a position to maintain it that way. The primary advantage of the model is that it shows a clear guidance for treatment of the patient. Also, much scientific research support this model, most of which are unbiased and verified beyond reasonable doubt. Based on the interactionist perspective of sociological study, patients and doctors negotiate a diagnosis (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). This may lead to a conflict (conflict perspective) between doctor's and patient's views regarding a proper diagnosis. From
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