The functionalist approach The functionalist approach is seen as a structural consensus theory in which health is studying the relationship between the sick individual and its affects on the society as a whole. Talcott Parsons stated that using the traditional functionalist approach, for the society to function efficiently the members of the society need to be free from illness and must be in good health so that society can conform to a general level of running smoothly with the 4 pillars of society . The functionalist view of health and social care believes that medicine serves the safety of society as a whole and that the public are protected from people whom may want to abuse or damage the system. The society’s role is controlling limiting the abuse of the sick role by acting as a gate keeper and legitimates absence from work for individuals. This can be achieved by protecting the public from corrupt practice.
Discuss one or more model of health When talking about health, there are many different models and definitions used to define it. Models of health are constructed when social scientists’ try to understand how an aspect of society/health works and seek to describe it in a simplified, but nevertheless accurate way. Some models emphasis the negative definition of health, i.e. the biomedical model. The negative definition says that if someone is not ill, have a disease, or is sick, then they are healthy (www.wisegeek.com).
An individual is ethical if that person voluntarily obliges to function in the in the light of an ideal good. The notions of morals and ethics are distinct but are rarely incompatible. This student believes that morals and ethics coalesce and should be harmoniously in tune, as it is ethical principles that should drive decision making in health care with primary focus on the greater good. “Ethics is more commonly thought of as a guide to decision making when there are equally compelling or equally onerous alternatives from which to choose (Muyskens, 29-32)”. An ethical dilemma is a "conflict between two obligations (Emanuel)”.
This will also improve patient outcome drastically. The healthcare is a holistic entity which involves both the treatment of acute consequences of poor health the prevention of poor health from occurring (Martone 1992). The more successful the HCO is in preventing disease, the more successful they will be in improving patient health (Carlyon 1984). This goes a long way to prove that disease prevention fits nicely into the mission statement of the HCO which says that healthcare organizations do their best to promote healthy living. Ethically, it is the duty of the HCO’s under the umbrella of the CDC, to design/develop strategies to prevent diseases.
Creating awareness that ensures that healthcare insurance that healthcare insurance coverage is easily affordable to this group. This group may also benefit from prevention programs that are community based. Living healthy wellness living is a way to prevent or reduce rate of mortality and morbidity for minority group. References Baldwin, D January 31, 2003. Disparities in Health and Healthcare Satel, S 2007.
Naturopath's focus, amongst other things, on achieving optimum nutrition needed by clients to obtain optimum health. In times when diet may not be able to fully provide optimum nutrition, herbal medicine or supplementation may be considered to bridge the gaps in an individual's nutritional needs, in order to achieve their best state of health. 'Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food' (Hippocrates, ND) Food is a fundamental aspect of our everyday lives. Much more than just experiencing pleasurable sensations when enjoying good food, our diets provide our bodies with the energy, carbohydrates, proteins, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly. Eating a balanced diet is essential for good health and well-being.
High levels of illness are more common in areas of low social class, areas of high unemployment and environmental pollution. Lower life expectancy is also more common in areas of poverty. The government do not tackle these problem areas because of cost and also because the more advantaged would end up footing the bill which would place them at a disadvantage. Social classes will always show differences when related to health and ill health in society. The Feminist Approach This approach looks very strongly into the impact of social inequalities on women's health especially concerning child birth and contraception, this
An individual is responsible for their own health and decision which means they should be able to decide if they want any medical treatments for their illness to get better. People must ensure that they look after their own health such as personal hygiene and eat healthy diets when they are ill. The responsibilities of the sick role included: The sick person talking all the reasonable steps to get better and seeking to resume their normal place in society as soon as possible. Co – operating with medical professionals and choosing affective measures to improve their health condition. Every single individual in the society have their own roles and responsibility.
Functionalists see society as built on harmony and consensus, and free from major conflicts. They see the state as acting in the interests of society as a whole and its social policies as being for the good for all and helping families perform their functions more effectively and make life better for their members. Ronald Fletcher argues that the introduction of health, education and housing policies in the years since the industrial revolution has gradually led to the development of a welfare state that supports the family in performing its functions more effectively e.g. the introduction of national health service allows the family today to take better care of their members when they are sick. The functionalist view has been criticised on two man counts: It assumes that all members of the family benefit from social policies, where feminists argues that the
Natural and social selection explanation One strength of this explanation is that it explains the persistence of high mortality and ill health in lower social classes. There is also statistical evidence that poor health leads to the decline in social class and occupational status. However, it does not explain how