1、Chapter 3:Principal Theories of Social MedicineHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyTongji Medical CollegeFaculty of Social MedicineContentsprefaceDefiningHealthandMedicineSociologicalPerspectivesonHealthandMedicineSocialCapitalandHealthPart 1 PrefaceSection 1.1 A Story of Social MedicineSev
2、enteen-year-oldJimDavis(apseudonym)wascheckedintothe rehab centertwodaysagebythisparents.Today,heiscurledintoa fetal positiononthebedinhisroom,hisbodyconvulsing.Periodically,hegetsupscreamingandtearsthesheetsoffhisbedorthrowsachairagainstthewall.Jimisgoing through withdrawal,butfromwhat?Isheaddicted
3、toheroin,perhaps,orcocaine,alcohol,orevennicotine?No,JimspsychologistexplainsthatJimisan Internet addict.Ahighschoolseniorand,untilrecently,honorsstudent,Jimspendsmorethansixhoursadayon-line.Hequitlong-distance runningandwithdrewfromotherextracurricular activitiestohavemoretimefortheInternet.Thenheb
4、eganskipping classesandcallinginsicktohispart-time employer.Hisparentsinsistedthathecutdownhistimeon-line,butJimcouldntseemtodoit.WhentheyremovedJimscomputerfromhisroom,heatfirstbecomedepressed,butthenhewentintoarage,threateningtokillhimselfifhisparentsdidnotreturnhiscomputer.Thisswhenthedecidedtose
5、ekprofessionalhelp,whicheventuallyledtoJimsadmissiontoarehabilitation centerthatusuallytreatsdrugandalcoholabusers.CliniciansreportthattheyareseeinganincreasingnumberofpeoplewithInternet addiction,acompulsivedisordersimilartouncontrollablegambling,binge eating,anddrug and alcohol abuse.Butsociologis
6、tsseethesereportasthelatestexampleofmedicalization,the process of defining a behavior or condition as an illness in need of medical treatment.Sociologistsbelievethatillness is not simply a biological or physiological condition.Rather,illness is socially constructed.Whatgetsdefinedasillnesshasasmucht
7、odowithasocietyscultureaswithobjectivesymptoms.Section 1.2 Relations of Concept and TheoryThestructureofatheory:concept,variable,proposition,hypothesis.ConceptAbstractofphenomenaRelationsofconceptandtheory:concept is a section of theory;a theory is made up of a group of logic-related concepts.Variab
8、leConceptwithmulti-dimension.PropositionAstatementaboutthecharacteristicofaconceptortherelationsofagroupofconcepts.Categoriesofproposition:axiom,law,hypothesis.HypothesisA tentative statement about the relationship ofrelated-variable.Part 2 Defining Health and MedicineSection 2.1 What is health?Some
9、peopledefinehealthassimplytheabsenceofillness,butthisvaguedefinitionraisesmorequestionsthanthisanswers.Forexample,whenshouldweconsiderapersonisillwhenthatpersonisunabletoperformnormalsocialroles?Ontheonehand,anindividualsassessmentcanbeproblematicbecauseresearchshowsthatwhilemostpeopleconsidertheirv
10、erygoodorexcellent,onlyasmallpercentageiscompletelyfreeofphysicalailmentsatanygiventime(U.S.Departmentofhealthandhumanservices,1996).Ontheotherhand,ifwedefinehealthsolelyintermsoftheabsenceofdisabilityorincapacitation,weoverlookthethousandsofpeoplewhoareillbutwhocontinuetocarryouttheirdailyactivitie
11、sforavarietyofreasons,suchaseconomicnecessary.Astheseexamplesillustrate,health is multidimensional.Inadditiontoaphysiologicaldimension,healthalsohaspsychologicalandsocialdimensions.Consequently,wehaveadoptedtheWorldHealthOrganizationsdefinitionofhealthasa state of physical,mental,and social well-bei
12、ng.Thisdefinitionmakesthepointthatwecannotconsiderapersonhealthyifsheorheisemotionallydistressedorlivinginahazardousenvironment,evenifthepersonisfreeofphysicalillness.Section 2.2 Health and SocietyStandardsofhealthvarycross-culturally.StandardsofhealthvaryovertimeStandardsofhealthreflectthedominantv
13、aluesandnormsofasocietyHealthisaffectedbyasocietyslevelofeconomicdevelopment.Standards of health vary cross-culturallyWhatisconsideredhealthyorwholesomeinonesocietymayberegardedasunhealthyorharmfulinanother.Forinstance,physicalconditionsthatwouldbediagnosedasseriousskindiseasesbyU.S.physiciansarenot
14、consideredevensymptomsofillnessbytheKubaofSumatra.Definitionsofhealthandillnessmayalsobemanipulatedforpoliticalreasons.Forexample,inJapan,wherethenationalgovernmentownsthecountryslargestcigarettesmanufacturingcompany,anymedicalreportsthatwarnofthehealthhazardsofsmokingmustalsoincludeclaimsaboutcigar
15、ettesbenefits,suchashowsmokingcigarettescontributestocreativity.Standards of health vary over timeLittlemorethanacenturyago,physiciansbelievedthathysteriawascausedbytheuterusbreakingfreeandmovingthroughthebody.Thus,bydefinition,allhystericswerewomen,andthe“cure”wasremovaloftheuterus(hysterectomy).Hy
16、steria,whichistodaycalledhistrionic personality,isstillamedicallyrecognizeddisorder,butitisnotthoughttohaveaphysicalcause,norisitonlydiagnosedinwomen;25to50percentofindividualswithhistrionicpersonalityaremen.Standards of health reflect the dominant values and norms of a societyConsiderthatintheUnite
17、dStates,whereindividualismishighlyprized,somepeopledevelopaphobiaofbeing embarrassed,whereasinJapan,wheregroup welfareisvaluedovertheindividual,somepeopledevelopafearthattheymightembarrass others.Healthstandardsmayalsobeusedtoenforcenorms.InmanyWestAfricancountries,forexample,youngwomenareexpectedto
18、bevirginswhentheymarry.Toguaranteemarriageability,parentsusuallyhavetheirdaughters“circumcised”(theirexternalgenitalsareremovedandthevaginaissewnclosedexceptforasmallopeningtoallowthepassageofmenstrualblood),eventhoughtheprocedureoftenresultsincomplications,includingshock,hemorrhage,and tetanus.Inth
19、iscountries,thecircumcisionservesasameansofsocialcontroltoensureyoungwomensconformitytotheirsocietyssexuality norms.Health is affected by a societys level of economic development.Economicallyundevelopedsocietieshavehighratesofillnessandhealth,especiallyfrompreventable infectious diseases.Asasocietyd
20、evelops,deathfrominfectious diseasesdeclinesdramatically,sothatindustrialized societiesenjoythehigheststandardsofhealth.Thisdoesnotmeanthatindustrializedsocietiesareillness-free,however.Infectious diseasesmaybeundercontrol,butindustrializationgeneratesotherhealthproblems.Onlyinindustrializedsocietie
21、s,forexample,doworkerscontractlife-threatening illnessesbecauseofoccupational exposuretocotton fibers,coal dust,asbestos,mercury,andnumerouschemicals.Section 2.3 What is medicine?Medicineisthe social institution established to identify and treat illness and promote health.Goals of medicine:preventio
22、n of disease,relief of suffering,care of the illandavoidance of premature death.Section 2.4 Medicine and SocietyJustashealthreflectsthecultureandstructureofasociety,sodoesmedicine.Weusuallythinkofmedicineafterthefactthatisoncewehavegottensick,werelyonmedicinetomakeusbetter.Thiskindofmedicine,curativ
23、e medicine,focuses on treating people who are already ill.Incontrast,preventivemedicineseekstoestablish conditions that keep illness from occurring.IntheUnitedStates,preventive medicinehasbeengettingmoreattentioninrecentyears.Weareallfamilywiththecurrentcampaignstoquitsmokingand“eat heart healthy”.B
24、utforthemostpart,medicineinUnitedStateshastraditionallyemphasizedcure than prevention,anemphasisthatfollowslogicallyfromoursocietysvaluesofindividualismandfreeenterprise.Theindividualissupposedtodeterminehisorherownhealthneeds,findasourceofhealthcare,andpayforthatcareprivately.Part 3 Sociological Pe
25、rspectives on Health and MedicineTheStructuralFunctionalistPerspectiveEvaluatingtheStructuralFunctionalistPerspectiveTheSymbolicInteractionistPerspectiveEvaluatingtheSymbolicInteractionistPerspectiveSection 3.1 The structural functionalist perspectiveThestructural functionalist perspectiveonhealthan
26、dmedicinewasformulatedlargelybyTalcottParsons(1951).AccordingtoParsons,ahealthypopulationisessentialtosociety.Healthpeoplecanperformthesocial rolesnecessarytokeepsociety functioningoptimally.Illness,then,isdysfunctionalbecauseitpreventspeoplefromperformingtheirsocialroles,atleasttemporarily.Thus,the
27、socialinstitutionofmedicineplaysa vital roleintheoverallfunctioningofmedicinebymakingmembershealthy.Ofcourse,everyonegetssicksometimesandwhentheydo,Parsonsargued,theyfollowa socially prescribed role.Physiciansalsohavespecificrole expectations.Section 3.1.1 The Sick RoleParsonsidentifiedfourcharacter
28、isticsofthesick role,thebehaviorsdefinedbyasocietyasappropriateforpeoplewhoaresick.First,sick people are excused from their usual responsibilities,such as attending class or working.However,whilesayingyouresickmightinitiallyevokesympathy,youwontbeexcusedfromyourobligationsforlongunlessyourillnessisv
29、erifiedbyarecognizedexpert,suchastheschoolhealthserviceoryourphysician.Second,sick individuals are considered“worthy”of others sympathy only if they did nothing to precipitate their illness.Consider,forexample,therecentlawsuitsbroughtagainstthetobacco industrybysmokerswithseriousillnesses.Jurieshave
30、beenreluctanttoawarddamagesbecausetheplaintiffsknewsmokingwasharmfultotheirhealth,butkeptdoingitanyway.Third,the sick person must display a sincere desire to be well.Someonewhoclaimstobeilltoavoidwork,getoutofasociologyexam,orbepamperedbyothersisnotconsideredlegitimatelysickbysociety.Finally,the sic
31、k person must do everything possible to get well.Ifthesickpersonmakesnoattempttogetmedicalhelporignores“doctors orders,”heorsherelinquisheslegitimateclaimtothesickrole.Thehelp-seeking elementofthesick rolereadsustoconsiderthe role of help provider,thephysician.Section 3.1.2 The Physicians RoleAccord
32、ingtoParsons,the physicians rolehastwocomponents.Oneistoevaluate peoples claimsofillness,assessingwhethertheyarereallysickand,ifso,determining the cause of their ailment.Thesecondcomponentofthephysicianssroleistocure the sicksotheycancarryouttheirnormalsocialroles.Section 3.1.3 The relationship betw
33、een the physicians role and the sick rolethephysiciansroleandthesickroleareinterdependent.First,patientsmustsupplytheirmedicalhistoryandsymptomsinorder forthephysiciantofulfillthefirstcomponentofhisorherrole.Then,tofulfillthesecondcomponents,thephysiciandepends onthepatienttofollowinstructions.Despi
34、tethisinterdependence,thespecializedknowledgeofthephysicianmakesthephysician-patient relationship unequal.Thelevelofinequalityvariescross-culturally,butthephysicianalwayshastheuppershandintherelationship.Parsonsdidnotviewpatient-physicianinequalitynegatively,though.Thephysiciansimplyknowswhatisneces
35、saryforapersontogetbetter,sothepatientshoulddefertohimorher.Section 3.2 Evaluating the Structural Functionalist PerspectiveParsonssanalysisofthe sick roleshowshowsocial normsimpingeonbothhealthandillness.Parsonsalsocorrectlydepictsthe physicianasthegatekeepertothesick role.Butparsonssideashavealsobe
36、encriticized.Some,forexample,saythatParsonssconceptofthesick roleimpliesthatapersonasonlytemporarilyillandcanberestoredtonormalfunctioning relativelyquickly.Thisistrueifthepersonissufferingfromanacute illness,which,thoughoftenserious,iscurable.Butchronic illnessprolongedillnessthatmaybecontrolled,bu
37、tnotcuredispermanentlyincapacitatingandpreventsapersonfromeverresumingnormalsocial roles.Parsonsisalsocriticizedforputtingtoomuchemphasisonindividual responsibilitywhiledownplayingthesocial structural factorsthatcanaffecthealth.Forinstance,Parsonssclaimthatpeoplewhocontributetotheirownafflictionhave
38、nolegitimateclaimto the sick roleoverlooksthefactthatsocial structural factorsalsoshapepeoplesbehavioralchoices.Advertising,forexample,promotesagreatdealofunhealthybehavior,includingsmokingandalcoholconsumptionFinally,Parsonshasbeencriticizedforignoringthenegativeconsequencesofsocial inequalityforhe
39、althandmedicine.Sickpeoplemaywishtogetwell,forexample,buttheiraccesstomedicalcaremaybelimitedbytheirfinancial status.Section 3.3 The symbolic interactionist perspectiveSymbolicinteractionistsareprimarilyconcernedwiththemeaningspeoplegivetotheirsocial interactions,sotheyfocus on how health and medici
40、nearesociallyconstructed.Quiteapartfromobjectivesymptoms,healthandillnessaresociallydefinedbythemembersofasociety.InLithuania,forexample,thereareaboutasmanyrear-end car collisionsasinNorwayandtheUnitedStates,butLithuanianeverreportthelingering neck pain,calledwhiplash,commonlyreportedbyNorwegianandA
41、mericanaccidentvictims.Lithuaniansdonthavestrongerneckmusclesandtheircarsarentsafer,sowhydonttheygetwhiplash?Researchersbelievetheanswerliesinhowthesituationsaresociallydefined.InLithuania,peoplearenotaccustomedtosuingoneanotherforanyreason,letaloneaccidentliability.Lithuaniansdonothavepersonal inju
42、ry insurance;iftheyareinjuredinanaccident,thegovernmentspublic health insuranceprogrampaysthemedicalbills.Whenarear-endcollisionoccurs,theydefineitasamajorinconvenience,not becausetheywillmissworkbecauseofneckpain,but becauseitissodifficulttogetsparecarpatsinLithuania.Incontrast,inNorway,whichhasthe
43、highestnumberofwhiplashcasesintheworld,thereismuchtobegainedfromdefiningarear-end collisionasaninjury-producingeventbecauseinsurance companiesgenerouslycompensateindividualsforchronic disabilitycausedasinjurysuitsarecommonplace,rear-endcollisionsaredefinedasinjurieshealontheirownwithinafewdaysorweek
44、sandrequirelittleornotreatment.ThisisnottosaythataccidentvictimsinLithuanianeverexperienceneckpain,orthatpeopleonNorwayandtheUnitedStatesonlypretendtobeinpain.Rather,accordingtosymbolic interactionists,thesocial expectationsthatindividualsattachtoaneventshapehowtheyexperienceitandthemeaningstheygive
45、totheexperience.Symbolic interactionists are also interested in how medical treatment is social constructed.Thinkaboutyourmostrecentvisittoaphysicians office.Afterbeingseatedinthewaiting area,youwereprobablyescortedtoanexamining roombyanurse,whotooksomebasicmedicalinformation(yourweight,temperature,
46、andbloodpressure).Oncethenursefinished,youarelefttowaitforthedoctor.Thedoctorwasntdifficulttorecognizesincesheorhehadseveralpropsthatdesignatedthestatusdoctor.Forexample,thedoctorprobablyworea white lab coatwithastethoscopeprotrudingfromthepocket.Thetwoofyoumayhaveinitiallyexchangedsmalltalk,butthec
47、onversationwaslikelylimited toyouansweringthedoctorsquestions.Althoughthedoctormayhaveaddressedyoubyyourfirstname,youinvariablyusedthetitle“doctor”whenaddressingherorhim.Thedoctoralsoprobablyusedaspecialized vocabulary,referringtoyoursore throatas“pharyngitis”oryourswollen pinky fingerasyour“fifth d
48、igit”Each elementoftheinteraction,includingthepropsandthelanguage,contributetothesocial constructionofthestatusesphysicianandpatientandthephysician-patient relationship.Therelationshipitselfisclearlyhierarchal,withthedoctorassumingtheroleofauthority.Section 3.4 Evaluating the Symbolic Interactionist
49、 PerspectiveThesymbolicinteractionistperspectiveisvaluableforemphasizingthesocial natureofhealthandmedicine,whichwetypicallythinkofonlyinbiologicalterms.Infact,thedefinitionspeopleattachtoparticularbehaviorsorconditionslabelingthemhealthyorunhealthy,wellorsickoftenderiveasmuchfromnonmedical factorsa
50、sfrommedical onesNevertheless,thesymbolicinteractionistperspectivehasbeencriticizedfordownplayingtheobjective realityofhealthandillness.Afterall,peopledogetsickandsufferdebilitatingphysicalillness,regardlessofwhethertheyareprofessionallydiagnosedorsociallylabeledsick.Illnesscanalsoexitindependentofs






