This model identifies health as the ‘absence of disease’ with specific focus on diagnosing and curing individuals with illnesses such as cancer. The different views which are associated with health results in many policies and practices of the National Health Service (NHS) being put in place. The biomedical model suggests that during times of illness, intervention from health care professionals is necessary. Not only this, but the biomedical model also suggests health is the reason for the absence of many life threatening diseases. It is argued by many sociologists the main purpose of health care is to cure disease through the use of scientifically tested methods purposely created to address diagnosed illnesses.
[M1] Assess the biomedical and socio-medical models of health The biomedical model approach to health is used primarily in the western world and industrialised societies. It originated after the industrial revolution of the mid-nineteenth century. This model is largely based on the ideology that health is defined as the absence of the disease and that only; the model is adamant that the involvement of health care professionals is necessary in every incident of illness. The biomedical model became popular because of the use of scientific methods; its main purpose is to cure disease; the treatment and care of people is cheaper; expert knowledge is used to achieve the results; and public health has improved. It has one focus; the actual
The differences between the biomedical and social model of health is that biomedical focuses on the cure for treating and diagnosing treatment for ill patients while the social model focuses on the origins of the illness rather than the cure. (Denny and Earle 2010) The social model’s aim is to change environmental factors to allow healthier choices focusing on the psychological and social factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, social class and disability. (Kirby et.al 2000) The biomedical model of medicine has been around for centuries as the dominant model used by health professionals to diagnosis disease. The model concentrates on the physical processes of disease and does not take into account psychological or social factors in the cause or treatment of the illness. (Giddens 1989) This model of health looks at individual physical functioning and describes disease and illness as a result of physical causes such as injury or infections.
The Western scientific approach to medicine bases on these main features, focusing on the abnormalities in the body, biological factors explain the illness, it examines the cause of ill health through observations and tests, trained health professionals are the ones able to identify and treat the illness, emphasising different treatments medications and other interventions. Health care environments are appropriate places to undergo treatments and the model specifically states that illness is regarded as a temporary condition which can be reversed by the intervention of medical expertise. The bio medical model relates to the functionalist approach of health as it specifies that health is the absences of disease and it’s regarded as dysfunctional for the society as individuals cannot make positive contribution to the running of society. The model does not consider the social and environmental factors of ill health but relays on the scientifically methods to address and diagnose the illness if the illness cannot be diagnosed the individual would be labelled as malingering meaning one will be pretending to be ill for
It also tends to rely upon a diagnosis being made, most probably by a member of the medical profession. If we are unaware that we have a disease or if this disease has not been diagnosed, does it mean that we are healthy? (Aggleton 1990) The concept of the power of medicine stems from the biomedical model of health, which originated from the work of Rene Descartes. He suggested that the
Research in a Health and Social care setting In this essay, you will find out why research is useful in a Health and Social Care setting. Functions of research: One function of research is identifying needs. Health and Social care workers use research to identify the needs of an individual. The information from the research allows the professional to make decisions about suitable treatments and care plans suited to the individual. For example a doctor may take blood pressure and the heart rate of a patient and use it to find a treatment.
Biomedical model makes a cure the priority within health care services. Health is determined by the “absence of disease”. The reason for national health services are to find cures for already existing diseases and or an illness. After researching the illness enough to find out how to cure it, they then give out medication to cure the illness. Sociologists find that doing all the research needed to find a cure is a limitation of the model.
Discuss the importance of research in health and social care To support care information gathered from research can be used by health care proffesionals so they can give the best possible care and treatment. It is important to ensure that the right people have access to the right information at the right time so they can provide you with the right care. To improve health and social care services for everyone Information is used for purposes beyond your direct care: Commissioning The people who plan health and care services (commissioners) need good information about the types of illnesses people have and the treatments they receive, as well as the result of that care or treatment. They can then check to make sure that people are getting the services that are right for them. Public health Some information is used for public health.
Models of Health According to the World Health Organisation, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (World Health Organisation, 2011) There are two main models of health which reflect different perspectives. These models are known as the social model of health and the medical model of health. The medical model of health focuses more on the cure for an illness, whereas the social model of health concentrates on the origins of the illness rather than the cure such as class, gender and ethnicity. (HSC, 2009) In the medical model of health, the main focus is on a person functioning correctly physically and defines bad health and illness as the presence of disease. The medical model looks at the body as a machine, where if it were to break down, a doctor would take on the role of an engineer and attempt to fix it.
Understanding that cultural beliefs and practices of the clients will influence healing and wellness and establish a respectful relationship. ii. Effective communication will assist the healthcare professional to understand the client’s perception of illness and in doing so, educating them. II. Healthcare providers should be aware of patient’s culture, beliefs, attitudes, behavior and preconceptions to provide quality care.