SOCI 210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Sick Role, Underinsured, Commodification
24 Jan 2016
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Document Summary
Medical sociology: the systematic study of how humans manage issues of health and illness, disease and disorders, and healthcare for both the sick and the healthy. Study the physical, mental, and social components of health and illness. Social construction of health is a major topic in medical sociology. It emphasizes the socio- cultural aspects of the discipline"s approach to physical, objectively definable phenomena. Illnesses have both a biological and experiential component which are strongly correlated. Our culture not our biology dictates which illnesses are stigmatized, which are considered disabilities, and which are deemed contestable (finding their existence questionable) Stigmatization of illness: often has the greatest effect on the patient and the kind of care he or she receives. Eg: healthcare can discriminate against aids and mental disorders. Facilities for these diseases may be subpar, they may be related to a poorer environment, the stigma may keep people from seeking help for their illness.
