Sociological Theories and Concepts in Health Care Systems in Australia
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This paper evaluates the implications of the sociological theories to the healthcare systems in Australia. It discusses sociological concepts, hierarchy of power in healthcare, and sociological theories in healthcare. It also highlights the role of sociological theories in healthcare and their impact on medical practitioners.
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Running Head: HEALTH SOCIOLOGY Sociological Theories and Concepts in Health Care Systems in Australia Name Institution Affiliation: Instructor: Course: Date Surname. InitialUnit Code:
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HEALTH SOCIOLOGY2 Introduction Currently, it is mandatory that healthcare professionals coherently write their reports through keen consideration of the existing theories and research. Health systems should be one of the major concerns of the government of Australia (Ryan & Deci 2011). Sociology offers essential social methods which are applied by healthcare officers and nurses in the process of attending patients. The study also involves discussion on sociological theories where there are various sub-theories like symbolic interaction theory and conflict theory. From these sociological theories, we get to learn and evaluate the social interactions, relationships, and behavior of individuals in the country. This paper will evaluate the implications of the sociological theories to the healthcare systems. These are theories which are continuously used by healthcare practitioners especially upon coming across a patient who is in critical condition as they facilitate the offering of best healthcare services which can significantly improve the health condition through formulating appropriate decisions. Health institutions are typically structured as a dominance hierarchy characterized by a group of people or individuals with more power and authority than others. The subsequent levels represent lesser authority and power indicating that power is distributed unequally in every society. The hierarchy of power adopts a pyramid-like structure whereby individuals at the top are few and powerful while those based in the down of the authority do not possess much power. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the sociological theories and concepts as well as their impacts on healthcare practitioners. Sociological Concepts Sociology is a broad field which is composed of various concepts. The most common ideas include socialization, social order, and social stratification. The definition of the three Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY3 concepts differs from one theory to another, but the meaning remains unchanged. The socialization concepts involve the communal values and norms which are taught to children by the adults. The rules, perceptions, and costs are passed from one generation to another through the socialization technique, and they are mostly used to define community (Mulkay, 2014). The norms and values provide teachings to society and dictate the behavior of the individuals as well as explaining what is expected of them. The expression of individuals is determined through the norms and values and used to prepare the young in society. The socialization concept argues that individuals who are well mannered are potentially raised in a culture which does not observe the outlined values and norms. Such characters do not understand what is right and what is wrong explaining why they end up hurting their colleagues. The socialization process usually comes as primary socialization whereby the young generations are taught about the existing social norms and values by either family members or caregivers. Parents have a crucial role in implementing socialization concepts among the children as they show them on how to behave towards other people through socializing with them and not discriminating the poor in society. Social order is a concept which is related to the socialization process through the community following the established norms and values. It also incorporates passing the norms and values from one generation to another through the application of the socialization process (Annandale, 2012). The concept describes how society can progress in the right direction by ensuring that good behavioral practices are observed. Social stratification is also a fundamental concept of socialization which pertains the structured inequalities and unequal distribution of resources in the society in situations where some individuals are capable of acquiring more than others. The concept defines divisions in the community where individuals are classified into either upper, medium or lower class. The high Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY4 level comprises of individuals or group of people who have more resources and knowledge while the small type is described by poor social, economic backgrounds and in most cases cannot afford social amenities such as education and healthcare services. The socialization concepts are also employed in the definition of power hierarchy in a healthcare setting. Hierarchy of Power in Healthcare Most healthcare systems are hierarchical in the current healthcare settings across the world. In Australia, health care facilities are run by professionals who are arranged based on their ranks. Professional hierarchy in healthcare is established when participants in the sector realm work to define the practice of medicine. The healthcare of the country observes a strict hierarchical structure in deploying hospital staff at different areas of the health centers based their qualities and qualifications to ensure that patients receive improved services. The current healthcare system comprises of healthcare professionals, administrative staff and lower rank executives who make the system portray a hierarchy of power. In this context, the hierarchy of power implies that different people possess different legal powers or authorities that ensure that activities are run swiftly in the Australian healthcare sector. Healthcare professionals give directions to their subordinate staff and instruct them on how to conduct given activities expectedly. The professionals are also ranked at different levels in a way such each of them answers his or her head and the first executive answers to a particular board that regulates the activities of specific healthcare. Intrinsic in the context of a hierarchy of power implies the necessity of individuals belonging to a particular position where they can use their power to better the operations of the current health care system in Australia as well as globally. Sociological Theories in Health Care Surname. InitialUnit Code:
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HEALTH SOCIOLOGY5 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 (Sampson, 2017). Therefore, health is a very crucial tool for maintaining good relation and interaction with others in society. Under the sociological theories, we have methods like functionalism theory which states that health is essential for a smooth running of a community. For efficient treatment, there should be a good relationship between the physician and the patient. The sick should also adhere to the instructions of the doctor to get well. When people are not healthy, they will not be in a position to work and therefore no development in the nation (Talcott, 2007). Also, early deaths due to various causes like pregnancy, birth, and childcare prevent individuals from fulfilling their social roles. Poor health care is as well disadvantageous to the people in that it is a risk to their life and the life of the healthy people. Under conflict theory of sociology, we understand that dispute arises due to unfairness in health care services. The social inequalities among individuals such as race, class, ethnicity, and gender are portrayed in health conditions and health care services. From the statistics, it is clearly shown that people receive health care services differently in Australia (Annandale, 2012). Many people at the remote places find it hard to access proper health care compared with those in the urban areas. It is very disastrous that many of these people who are less unfortunate are the most vulnerable to diseases where they are unable to acquire good health care (Thomas, Menon, Boruff, Rodriguez & Ahmed, 2014). The conflict approach also discourages efforts by the health specialists to have in control the whole medicine practice and to assume that all the social problems affecting people were due to medicine and not sociological factors. This approach had a positive and a contrary view. The positive aspect is that they Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY6 assumed themselves as the only educated people in the society who can help people out of these social problems (Russell, 2007). The cynical view dictated that they imagined having a pay rise if they managed to dominate all social issues to be medical problems. For instance use of contraceptives as birth control pills among women is medical but giving birth is a social role of women in the society thus bringing conflict between the social sector and the medical instructions (Manners, 2017). Symbolic Interactionist Approach describes that health and diseases are socially constructed. This means that any mental, emotional or physical disorder has no reality in it unless stated by members of a particular society. No diseases unless a community has experienced and distinguished it. For instance, there is a movement in the United States where movement of heavy individuals is campaigning against heavyweights to curb obesity which have become a risk (Annandale, 2012). These people were just known to be ‘big people,’ but the condition is turning to be a disease. Symbolic Interactionist Approach also provides essential research on the patient-physician- relationship. According to Fortier (2016), the physician always portrays his or her profession by the mood of approach, dressing, talking among others (Hay, 2016). The patient still has to wait for the physician, who wears a white coat unlike the patient who has no identity. The physician also uses terms and writings only understood by specialists instead of terms which even the patient can understand. The Role of Sociological Theories in Healthcare Sociological theories are fundamental in healthcare as they enhance the health of patients and dictate power hierarchy which ensures smooth flow of activities. The core purpose of sociological theories is to maintain good health care and healthy living style by encouraging people to take nutritious foods and engage in physical activities to avoid unnecessary health Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY7 complications. Through sociological theories, individuals in society have gained power and feel free to seek medical attention when necessary (Cameron & Trivedi 2009). People currently feel free to engage in healthcare activities such as blood donation to those in need as well as a kidney transplant for those experiencing kidney failure. The application of sociological theories in healthcare focuses on how healthcare is affected by changes in the aspects of social life. Through the formulated hierarchy of power, the approaches emphasize stabilities and cooperation between healthcare officers and patients in a clinical setting. The functionalism theory is responsible for explaining that fact that every person is a member of society. The role of the method is curbing isolation and discrimination in society. It, therefore, prevents cases of mental disorders and depression. Talcott Parsons who is the co-founder of the theory is termed as the father of medical sociology. The theory also describes the hierarchical power in a clinical setting which is necessary for the efficient execution of duties. The theory also highlights the role of a sick person compared to healthy individuals. The methodology is also effective in explaining the role of an infected person so that they can be encouraged and motivated to continue with their medication and treatment so that they can become fruitful in the society. Functionalism theory is also vital in definition of the role health care professionals in the process of understanding the illness of patients suffering sociologically so that they can view the types of deviance which are a disturbing factor in the social functioning of the society. Impact of Sociological Theories on Medal Practitioners As a medical practitioner there are key values that one needs to have. One of them is to always recognize that working on people’s health is a calling from God and should be done in full responsibility. It is also very crucial to be a social being; relating well with classes of people Surname. InitialUnit Code:
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HEALTH SOCIOLOGY8 without discrimination. All people are equal and deserve fair treatment. From the study we have noted that power which in hierarchy is very important in running the health care system. We as the physicians we need to respect the authority and take part in maintaining the policy and decisions made (Russell, 2007). Functionalist Theory suggests that every stakeholder in care should be responsible when carrying out their activities. The major role being held by the physician suggests that they should be on their toes to ensure that patients get appropriate medication all the time. They have to give appropriate prescriptions, listen to the patients attentively and direct them on healthy living (Cameron & Trivedi 2009).There are situations where the physician is allowed to discriminate for instance when there is an emergency and when the condition being treated only affects a certain group of people; for example men or women. Physicians are professional people in the society. Therefore they should portray their dignity in their character to be role models to the rest. Their life should implicate what they say; living a healthy life to avoid illnesses. The patient and the physician should be free to each other so that the patient is able to explain his or her illnesses while the physician is also in a position to prescribe and guide the patient on health living (Crenshaw, Delgado, Matsuda & Lawrence, 2018). Symbolic Interactionist Approach suggests that they should a professional relationship with the patients. For instance when male gynecologists are treating females, they should do professional examinations without abusing the patients sexually. In some countries it is a policy that when a male is examining the genitals of a female a female nurse should be present. In addition, it is the role of a physician to do thorough research on the most occurrence problems in the area of duty (Russell, 2007). Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY9 Medical practitioners should be informed and well trained. Physicians ought to have adequate information on their field of medicine (Cohen, 2017). The licensing of practice should be given to autonomously qualified individuals who are willing to work in the field of medicine. Supervisors and the management should be strict on observing how work is done to prevent cases of experimenting with people’s lives. Medicine is a crucial field and requires total concentration. A physician can also act as a government advisor of heath care. Medical practitioners are the most concerned with health care and so they should be on the front line to address issues affecting the health systems. Issues to do with development and innovation of health service and supply of health facilities like drugs should be frequently addressed (Cameron & Trivedi 2009).Physicians should be able to locate such cases and address those concerned to assist the patients. Conclusion Healthcare systems are all the activities that surround effective and efficient health care services. All the parties involved should work together in achieving the goal of a healthy nation. Through the existing hierarchy of power the medical professionals are able to work in respect and coordination while observing regulations and policy set aside for good governance in the health sector. The government should work tirelessly in ensuring that all persons especially the less fortunate like the poor and the refugees are able to access appropriate health care. Health involves a normal condition physically, mentally and socially. Having in mind the sociological theories approaches, medical practitioners will be able to enhance health in the society. Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY10 References Annandale, E. (2012).The sociology of health and medicine: a critical introduction. Polity. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2XIx29wAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra Armstrong, B. K., Gillespie, J. A., Leeder, S. R., Rubin, G. L., & Russell, L. M. (2007). Challenges in health and health care for Australia.Medical Journal of Australia,187(9), 485.https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/187_09_051107/arm11047_fm.pdf Cameron, A. C., Trivedi, P. K., Milne, F., & Piggott, J. (2009). A microeconometric model of the demand for health care and health insurance in Australia.The Review of economic studies,55(1), 85-106.https://academic.oup.com/restud/article-abstract/55/1/85/1570669 Cohen, B. M. (2017). Marxist theory. InRoutledge International Handbook of Critical Mental Health(pp. 70-79). Routledge.https://scholar.google.com/citations? user=UEalFbgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra Crenshaw, K. W., Delgado, R., Matsuda, M. J., & Lawrence, C. R. (2018). Introduction. In Words That Wound (pp. 1-15). Routledge.https://brill.com/view/title/38072#page=34 Fortier, M. (2016). Theory/theatre: an introduction. Routledge. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2014&q=Fortier,+M.+(2016).+Theory/ theatre:+an+introduction.+Routledge.&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5 Haas, P. M. (2015). Social constructivism and the evolution of multilateral environmental governance. InEpistemic Communities, Constructivism, and International Environmental Politics(pp. 143-171). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781317511397/chapters/10.4324%2F978131571 7906-16 Surname. InitialUnit Code:
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HEALTH SOCIOLOGY11 Hay, C. (2016). Good in a crisis: The ontological institutionalism of social constructivism.New Political Economy,21(6), 520-535. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13563467.2016.1158800 Manners, R. A. (2017).Professional dominance: The social structure of medical care. Routledge.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13563467.2016.1158800 Marmot, M. (2005). Social determinants of health inequalities.The Lancet,365(9464), 1099- 1104.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673605711466 Mulkay, M. (2014).Functionalism, Exchange and Theoretical Strategy (RLE Social Theory). Routledge.https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781317651840 Ritzer, G., & Stepnisky, J. (2017).Modern sociological theory. SAGE Publications. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=I67wP64AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2011). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.American psychologist,55(1), 68. http://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2000-13324-007 Saks, M. (2016). A review of theories of professions, organizations and society: The case for neo-Weberianism, neo-institutionalism and eclecticism.Journal of Professions and organization,3(2), 170-187. https://academic.oup.com/jpo/article-abstract/3/2/170/2412563 Sampson, R. J. (2017). Family management and child development: Insights from social disorganization theory. InFacts, frameworks, and forecasts(pp. 63-94). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781351520782/chapters/10.4324%2F978020379 2452-5 Surname. InitialUnit Code:
HEALTH SOCIOLOGY12 Schadewaldt, V., McInnes, E., Hiller, J. E., & Gardner, A. (2016). Experiences of nurse practitioners and medical practitioners working in collaborative practice models in primary healthcare in Australia–a multiple case study using mixed methods.BMC family practice,17(1), 99.https://bmcfampract.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-016- 0503-2 Thomas, A., Menon, A., Boruff, J., Rodriguez, A. M., & Ahmed, S. (2014). Applications of social constructivist learning theories in knowledge translation for healthcare professionals: a scoping review.Implementation Science,9(1), 54. https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-5908-9-54 Surname. InitialUnit Code: