Health Sociology Essay: Hierarchy, Power in Australian Healthcare

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of hierarchy and power within the Australian healthcare system. It begins by introducing the healthcare system and its structure, highlighting the roles of public and private institutions. The essay then delves into the importance of sociology and sociological perspectives, emphasizing their role in understanding the dynamics of the healthcare system. It discusses the biomedical model and its relevance to understanding health issues. The core of the essay examines the hierarchical structure of the Australian healthcare system, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels, and the distribution of power within this structure. It explores how power manifests in various forms and how it relates to health inequalities. The essay incorporates evidence from various studies and reports to support its arguments, including discussion of clinical tribalism, health inequalities, and the impact of demographic changes. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for effective leadership and the importance of addressing challenges in rural areas to ensure equitable access to healthcare services. The essay argues that hierarchy and power are intrinsic to the Australian healthcare system, impacting the delivery and quality of care.

Health Sociology Essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC: “Hierarchy and power are intrinsic to the current health care system in Australia”..........3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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TOPIC: “HIERARCHY AND POWER ARE INTRINSIC TO THE
CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN AUSTRALIA”
Introduction
Mentioning the health care system directly links thoughts to the medical set up which has
been developed for providing care and support to respective individuals. Australia administers
health care services provided by both private and public institutions. The federal government
monitors public health care system which is under the head name of Medicare institution
(Australia's health system, 2017). Apart from this particular organisation, there are several
private groups functioning to provide health and social care services. This essay aims to enhance
knowledge regarding the belongingness of hierarchy and power in the healthcare system of
Australia currently and in depth.
Sociology, its importance and role of perspectives
The intrinsic behaviour of the entire health care system can be assessed only when there
is knowledge about the origin or regulating source. Sociology is the study of social behaviour
right from its origin to its development into a web of networks. The transformation which takes
place from a group of individuals to a well established institution is deeply analysed in sociology
(Böhm & et. al., 2013). Concerning about hierarchy and power of the health care system, the use
of sociological perspectives supports better understanding. The importance of this particular
study is realised when empathetic approach is initiated towards the issues and problems of
people residing in the society.
A person when resides in a society has to perform different activities and fulfil respective
aims and aspirations. The connections that are developed definitely have certain impact over
health of the person (Sociological Conceptualisation of Medical Knowledge and Power. 2017).
For instance, a person is not able to achieve high financial benefits and earns a living by mere
jobs. The societal beliefs and stratification on the basis of income and earning results in
deprivation of the person from common facilities. This causes depression and severe impact on
the overall health of the individual. The role of healthcare system in this perception provides
evidences for the influence of hierarchy and power (Dekker & Nyce, 2014). Australia is
considered to be continuing with a complex yet efficient system of health care with high
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relatively. Sociological perspective depicts connections of human behaviour with society which
automatically relates with the system as a whole.
Key perspective in health Biomedical model
Apart from the social factors there are various other influences that can affect the health
situation of a person. These include biological and economical factors. The biomedical model
developed with health perspective relates to all the biological processes which have certain
impact or effect on the health of a person (Ebert & et. al., 2014). Existing from the mid-19th
century, the Biomedical model for health helps clinicians and medical practitioners to understand
and diagnose diseases, pain and defects which a person goes through. These can also be
considered as the biological influences addressed by an individual whenever an internal
atmospheric change is concerned (Do biomedical models of illness make for good healthcare
systems?. 2004).
It will be quite astonishing to implement such a model when investigating the intrinsic
nature of hierarchy and power in the health care system specifically of Australia. Despite of
favour-ability in terms of climate and economic situation, the country is still subjected to certain
risks of biological disease outbreak is due to the lifestyle and living standards of people
(Embuldeniya & et. al., 2013). The sociological perspective enfolds valuable information
regarding the impact addressed by individuals in terms of hierarchy and power in the entire
healthcare system. This model depicts a new revolutionised pathway which is considered by the
medical practitioners as a transforming route to investigate health ailments without focusing on
psychological, social or any other environmental factor. This model can also be related as the
conceptualisation of medical knowledge in terms of the sociological principles. All the medical
practises comprise of the biomedical model and embodiment with social factors (Fox & Reeves,
2015). Hence, this conceptualisation reflects greatly for the enlightenment of knowledge in terms
of hierarchy and power.
Discussion of hierarchy and power
Hierarchy is considered to be a sequential flow or an organised structure in which there is
division of authorities and powers to people according to their position. The healthcare system is
segregated into three tiers i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary (Hoffmann, Bennett & Del Mar,
2013). The primary stage is considered as the basic stage where patients have direct interaction
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with clinicians while secondary healthcare is associated with professionals and experts that are
associated with specialisation. The acute diseases and care requirements are fulfilled at this
stage. On the other hand, tertiary heath care is completely based on referrals and is very
specialised care provided to patients for supporting them to recover from complex medical
conditions (Kitto & et. al., 2015). This structure of the Australian health care system is well-
organised and reports to be powerful in strengthening the developments of healthcare system. As
per the statistics obtained in 2005-2006, the Australian healthcare system provided 1 doctor for
322 individuals. This figure improved with involvement of about 70,200 medical practitioners in
the country currently. This hierarchical structure is considered to be universal with about 67% of
the expenditure involved by government.
Power is denoted to by the controlling capability of a person or individual in context of
situations or individuals. The health care system comprises of power in different forms. For
instance, patients hold the power to select their support and care centre as well as the person
through whom they might assess the support (Liu, Manias & Gerdtz, 2013). Further, hierarchy
and power in the entire health care system go hand in hand. Irrespective of the nature of
functioning, the hierarchy developed in the healthcare system depends on systematic flow of
information and sequential delivery of care services.
According to sociological theories, the health care systems comprise of basic laws which
help in finding relations with phenomena, cause and effect. This theory is also known as
positivism. As per (The basis of clinical tribalism, hierarchy and stereotyping: a laboratory-
controlled teamwork experiment. 2016), power takes variable forms depending on the demand of
situation. In situations of medical negligences and errors the power shifts from medical
practitioner to the respective jury. On the other hand, hierarchical distribution provides clear
guidelines regarding distribution of power or respective responsibilities in the system. Health
inequalities are also considered at times when power and hierarchy are considered. For instance,
social hierarchy places rich at the top while poor at the bottom. The accessibility towards health
needs is said to be marginalised (Lowe, Plummer & Boyd, 2013).
Evidence
Health care system is full of complexity and has to be dynamic so that effective care
services can be provided to the patients. The management of a hospital or health care
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organisation holds power to allow or terminate the stay of a patient or practises of a clinician
depending on their credibility (Roche & Dimitrelis, 2015). But there should not be any misuse of
this power so that quality of the entire system is maintained. The issues in delivery of effective
services arise due to certain factors which include changing demographics and variable disease
patterns. Australian population is ageing rapidly. This is causing serious implications to the
strategies and competencies through which health and well being can be maintained (Whiteford,
& Hall , 2014).
Average life expectancy is about 73 years for an average Australian individual.
Longevity is somewhat nearly 10 years if there is no accompaniment of any sort of disease or
chronic disability. In the report The Quality of Australian Health Care: Current Issues and
Future Directions. 2017, an experiment was conducted for noting the basis through which
clinical tribalism, hierarchy and stereotyping can be noted. This experiment was conducted with
primary research techniques and included 133 professionals that were divided into 35 groups
depending on their professional background in health and social care systems. Personality and
machiavellianism and conservatism were recorded as the major factors which led to deflective
personality orientations. The use of power at every level of hierarchy varies because of personal
attributes as well the relationship concerned medical practitioner holds (Willis, Reynolds &
Keleher, 2016).
The hierarchy and power which exists in Australian health system is subjected to health
inequalities. Cultural inheritance and developments in values and beliefs are two different
aspects (Understanding rural and remote health: A framework for analysis in Australia. 2012).
The conservative thoughts and opinions of an individual lead him/her to perform activities like
social isolation, discrimination on the basis of different subjects, etc. The organisational
administration and set up should be in such a way that negative consequences and activities are
not initiated in this health and social care system. Effective use of power is determined only
when there is efficient resolution of conflicts and use of appropriate framework in handling
unfavourable situations.
Overall critical depth
Leadership provided by a person supports for building mutual support among people so
that all the required functional activities can be performed effectively. It is required that
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community people should be provided with the better support so that they can avail the services
that are provided by the organizations. Difficulty is faced by people who are living in rural areas
in accessing health services. Organizations also faces difficulties in recruiting and retaining
talented and suitable staff members. It is critical that hierarchy and power should be intrinsic for
the current health system so that better services can be rendered to the people. Situations and
conditions are troublesome in rural areas and due to that people faces difficulties in availing
better and effective medical care to the patients (Whiteford and Hall, 2014).
Situations in rural areas is adverse and it creates hurdle for rendering better medical cafe
for the patients. Along with this, there is need for providing effective leadership to the people so
that they can take appropriate and better decisions for ensuring long term success and growth of
company. HRM strategies aids for taking better decisions and making people stronger. Hierarchy
and power when provided to people aids for rendering them authority for taking effective
decisions for business and making appropriate future plans. Likewise, it is also required that
proper directions should also be provided to leaders so that they can take effective decisions. If
proper authorities will nt be there for people than due to that challenges will be faced by them in
rendering clear instructions to the subordinates (Hoffmann, Bennett and Del Mar, 2013). Formal
and informal both the directions to the followers so that they can make appropriate strategies and
take better decisions. In the same way, better empowerment is also provided to individuals and it
helps for supporting them for performing operational activities in business. A distinct and
progressive system can be developed so that people can be ensured with the effective health and
social care and it will render a medium for making people aware about the diverse range of
medical facilities that are available for them.
It is mandatory that individuals should appropriately make use of authority and power so
that required objectives should be performed successfully (Roche and Dimitrelis, 2015). In the
same way, there is need for aware people about better quality medical services that are being
available for them. All in all these are the efforts that makes a leader superior than any other and
it also helps for taking better and effective decisions. It is essential that seniors who have been
given authority should translate their messages to lower level so that all the functions should be
performed effectively. Hospitals that are working across Australia needs to follow strategic
HRM system so that people coming there for availing the services should be made informed
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about the medical facilities that are being available for them. Hierarchy and power are important
for Australian hospitals so that better medical care should be provided to patients.
Implications addressed as a health practitioner
Being a medical practitioner in Medicare, Australia, I have experienced significant
implications of different policies and sociological happenings. The hierarchical distribution can
facilitate growth only when there is proper use of power and an effective leadership. I have been
providing selfless services to my patients and associated individuals without considering the
obligations of social set-up. But it would not be wrong to quote that present situation of
Australian health care system is quite critical (What is Medicare?. 2017). The presence of
conservative through process in the realistic scenario has caused the system to deprive services to
a lot of individuals.
Racism is also one of the dominant issues which affect health care system adversely. I
have witnessed individuals from different nationalities or ethnic backgrounds being subjected to
health inequalities just because of the misuse of power and extreme dominance of conservative
individuals at the top sections of hierarchy. Be it nurses, medical practitioners or competent
leaders, there has to be a systematic flow of power when it comes to delivery of services in the
health care practises. The hierarchical system that has been designed with a universal approach
in Australia is effective according to me but there can be certain major improvements in terms of
human resource management and development of strategic functioning principles (Lowe,
Plummer & Boyd, 2013). I feel that the use of ethical practises and corporate social
responsibility can help in fighting the sociological issues and problems that hinder effective
delivery of health and social care services.
Conclusion
This essay presented the basic structure of Australian health care system which is
primarily known as Medicare. The use of sociology as a key concept helps in undermining the
healthcare facilitation in the society and communities. It is inferred from the findings of this
assessment that hierarchy and power in the Australian health care system is distributed in a
systematic way but affected by different factors which can be termed as health inequalities.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Böhm, K. & et. al., (2013). Five types of OECD healthcare systems: empirical results of a
deductive classification. Health Policy, 113(3), pp.258-269.
Dekker, S. W. & Nyce, J. M., (2014). There is safety in power, or power in safety. Safety
Science, 67, pp.44-49.
Ebert, L. & et. al., (2014). “They have no idea of what we do or what we know”: Australian
graduates' perceptions of working in a health care team. Nurse education in
practice, 14(5), pp.544-550.
Embuldeniya, G.& et. al., (2013). The experience and impact of chronic disease peer support
interventions: A qualitative synthesis. Patient education and counseling, 92(1), pp.3-12.
Fox, A. & Reeves, S., (2015). Interprofessional collaborative patient-centred care: a critical
exploration of two related discourses. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 29(2), pp.113-
118.
Hoffmann, T., Bennett, S. & Del Mar, C., 2013. Evidence-based practice across the health
professions. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Kitto, S. & et. al., (2015). Rapid response systems and collective (in) competence: An
exploratory analysis of intraprofessional and interprofessional activation factors. Journal
of interprofessional care, 29(4), pp.340-346.
Liu, W., Manias, E. & Gerdtz, M., (2013). Medication communication during ward rounds on
medical wards: Power relations and spatial practices. Health:, 17(2), pp.113-134.
Lowe, G., Plummer, V. & Boyd, L., (2013). Nurse practitioner roles in Australian healthcare
settings: Grainne Lowe and colleagues report on a study to explore how clinicians,
managers and policymakers perceive nurse practitioner roles and to elicit their views on
barriers to their introduction. Nursing Management, 20(2), pp.28-35.
Roche, M.A. & Dimitrelis, S., (2015). The rate and cost of nurse turnover in Australia.
Collegian, 22(4), pp.353-358.
Whiteford, H. A. & Hall, W. D., (2014). Estimating treatment rates for mental disorders in
Australia. Australian Health Review. 38(1). pp.80-85.
Willis, E., Reynolds, L. & Keleher, H. eds., (2016). Understanding the Australian health care
system. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Online
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understanding-our-health-care-system>. [Accessed on 19th May, 2017].
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