2. Medical Sociology: Definition,
• The branch of sociology that deals with the
study and analysis of medical organizations
and institutions, and how social and cultural
factors affect the domains of health and
medicine, in sociological terms is called
medical sociology. It is sometimes, also
referred to as health sociology.
3. • It helps in producing knowledge about various
methods, the way medical professionals act and
interact, and the socio-cultural effects that
medical practice leads to.
• Health is often viewed to be something wholly or
primarily a biomedical or individual issue, having
nothing to do with other individuals or society.
• This belief considers that the prime determinants
of health are purely biological or depends entirely
on the individual.
4. • While most diseases might be entirely based on biological
causes, sociologists held that this picture is a little complex
one.
• Some kind of a disease might not only be considered as a
medical problem but a social or psychological problem as
well.
• Diseases can also occur due to the existing social
structures, the lifestyle of an individual, their social
identities, experiences, etc. for instance, a person
belonging to the lower caste might be deprived of certain
basic necessities like pure water, healthy food, good
medical facilities, etc which may make them vulnerable to
diseases.
5. • Through medical sociology, the condition of the
patients is improved as a wholesome and
detailed study is undertaken by the medical
sociologist by using their analytical and
interpretive techniques.
• In addition, researches or surveys are done on
patients, educating people about various socio-
cultural factors affecting health, or by working to
prevent the outbreak of any disease, etc also
helps is improving medical facilities.
6. • It helps in shaping the concepts relating to
the fields of healthcare researches, medical
economics, medical anthropology, social
epidemiology, demography, and ecology.
7. • Medical sociologists can either serve as healthcare
workers, nurses, psychologists, or can go on to develop
and analyze policies, work as hospital administrators,
and human resource representatives.
• They can apply their knowledge about the social
contexts to facilitate improved healthcare agencies,
organizational arrangements, and processes of care.
• In short, knowledge in medical sociology helps in the
improvement of health and wellbeing of the society as
a whole.
8. • The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the entire population of the
world closer to the healthcare system.
• The behaviours and beliefs of members of society affect the pattern
of disease spread and the functioning of the healthcare industry
and the manner in which healthcare affects the functioning of
society and influences the perspectives of individuals.
• In this regard, it is important to study the relations between society
and medical care in terms of culture, social beliefs, healthcare
structures, illnesses, among others.
• The field of medical sociology observes this relationship and
analyses the variables associated with it, and the impact it has on
society.
9. scope of medical sociology:
• Observing the spread of diseases among
different groups in society and the impact of
these diseases on the population.
• Assessing and describing the way individuals
react to illnesses, in order to anticipate how
they will be defined from the viewpoint of
their social and cultural group within that
society.
10. • It describes how society dictates illness
treatment methods.
• Looking at how social institutions help medical
organisations in their efforts to care for the ill.
11. Differences between medical
sociology and social medicine
• Medical sociology works in various disciplinary
settings in research, while social medicine
generally functions within the framework of
biological and medical scientists.
• In both these domains, academic knowledge
and skills differ since their purposes are not
the same.
12. • In terms of research in the two disciplines, their theoretical
approach is not identical. This is due to the fact that the
practices in both subjects have distinct intellectual
foundations.
• While social medicine is practised by professionally licensed
doctors in public health departments and social
epidemiologists, medical sociology, is carried out by
sociologists who work in scientific and academic research in
the sociology department.
• Medical sociology, however, is concerned with obtaining
insights into health issues and providing a contribution to
theoretical formulations. As a subject, social medicine
assists in defining issues, assessing their nature, and
offering or prescribing solutions.
13. USE OF CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY IN CRISIS
INRERVENTION
•
Crisis intervention is a practice-oriented set of
procedures designed to offer someone
experiencing incapacitating stress emotional
first-aid. Concepts and ideas found in the
sociological tradition are quite applicable to
crisis intervention practice.
14. • Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention refers to the methods used to offer immediate,
short-term help to individuals who experience an event that
produces emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral distress or
problems.
Guide for an effective crisis intervention:
Assist the person to view the event or issue in a different
perspective.
• Assist the individual to use the existing support systems. It is vital to
help the person find new sources of support that can help in
decreasing the feelings of being alone or overwhelmed.
• Assist the individual in learning new methods of coping that will
help resolve the current crisis and give him or her new coping skills
to be used in the future when dealing with another overwhelming
situation.
15. • the four stages of a crisis—pre-crisis, crisis,
response, and recovery— you'll be able to
identify which stage you are in at any
moment.
16. Types of crisis
• Maturational crisis – also called developmental crisis. These
are predictable events in a person’s life which includes
getting married, having a baby and leaving home for the
first time.
• Situational crises – unexpected or sudden events that
imperils ones integrity. Included in this type of crisis are:
loss of a job, death of a loved one or relative and physical
and emotional illness of a family member or an individual.
• Adventitious crisis – also called social crisis. Included in this
category are: natural disasters like floods, earthquakes or
hurricanes, war, terrorist attacks, riots and violent crimes
such as rape and murder.
17. SOCIOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR
DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR THE
ABUSED
• All health and human service professionals
have a role in preventing abuse, but
particularly those who provide care to
children or dependent adults in facilities,
agencies, and programs. Criminal background
checks are usually an important first step in
hiring new employees, along with checks of
child abuse and sex offender registries when
applicable.
18. • CHILD ABUSE , ADULT ABUSE
• an assessment and evaluation, services may
be recommended for the victim of abuse, that
person’s family, or a caretaker. Professionals,
relatives, and others seeking to help the
dependent adult need to consider whether
the person will accept these services, and
whether the person is of sound mind to give
consent.
