Doctors
have a great amount of social power, political power, and prestige
They offer a universally valued product- health and longevity. There is a limited number of doctors due to the extensive education and training and the strict regulation of the profession
What reasons do doctors have so much power?
Scarcity, Doctors are the lowest compared to other occupations, Offer a universally valued product: health, High degree of professionalism, Individualized objectivity gives doctors power in their relationships with clients, Specific props and scripts assi
Why do we think Doctors are special?
Medicalization
the process by which problems or issues not traditionally seen as medical come to be framed as such
Talcott Parsons
He developed the concept of the sick role, which assigns a sick person rights and obligations
has the right not to perform normal social roles, should not be held accountable for his or her condition, should try to get well, should seek competent help and comply with doctor's orders
What are a sick person's rights and obligations?
yes
Is illness a social construct?
no
Does the U.S offer universal health care?
Fee- for- service
you pay fee and insurance picks up the rest
Health maintenance organization
companies trying to hold down costs. Fee doctor gets is per person instead of per visit
Medicare
covered for old people
Medicaid
covers cost for people with low income
SCHIP
make sure children get proper medical care state level
whites
Which race has the best health outcome?
Selection theory
the connection btw low income and poorer health- has mediating factors. For instance, other factors, like genetics might affect both socioeconomic status and health
drift explanation
states that there is a connection btw income and health
yes, but don' t know if healthier people tend to get married or if marriage makes you healthy
Do married people tend to live longer
yes, could be cause of certain illnesses or how willing each sex is to seek medical care
Do women tend to live longer then men?
Social determinants
states that social status can determines a person's health
large families and children born close together. Greater demands on parent's financial and emotional resources
what are both associated with higher child mortality rates? Why?