The Impact of the Theory of Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism on Healthcare - Research Paper Example

?Running head: Sociology Sociology Sociology Introduction The social s like family, healthcare, religion, education, mass media, political, and the economic are the institutions which govern society. These institutions help manage the overall dealings of individuals with each other and with their government. It helps provide order in the activities of the general population and seeks to ensure proprietary processes within the society. The sociological theories of functionalism, conflict, and interactionism impact differently on these social institutions. This paper shall discuss the impact of these theories on healthcare. This study is being carried out in order to establish a more comprehensive and scholarly understanding of these theories as they apply to healthcare delivery and its pertinent applications. Discussion Functionalism in healthcare Talcott Parsons is a functionalist theorist who has made the most notable discussions on the impact of functionalism in healthcare. Parsons (1951) has emphasized in his discussions about the social significance of the sick role. He emphasized that there is an inherent motivation in being sick and in subsequently getting better. In effect, “people have to decide that they are sick and in need of treatment” (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d, p. 359). As being sick often implies having to choose to withdraw from usual social behavior, it therefore also becomes a type of deviance and in effect, the successful functions of society are based on the management and control of those who are sick. Functionalism implies therefore that the role of medicine and healthcare is to manage the sick and facilitate their return to their usual activities (Pakgrave Macmillan). The sick role therefore calls for those who are sick to try to return to their normal activities at the soonest time possible. Functionalists define the sick role in various ways. Firstly, those who are sick are legally excused from their usual work and family responsibilities. Secondly, those who are sick need professional help in order to make themselves better. Thirdly, those who are sick have the responsibility to get better; their getting sick are only allowed in as far as they desire to get better. Lastly, those who are sick are expected to acquire professional treatment (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). Illnesses are considered violations of social conventions in both the workplace and in the family setting. Functionalists therefore believe that establishing a broad definition of illness would interrupt the normal activities in society (Davidson and Delay, 2008). They believe that it can cause social instability it is considered a dysfunctional occurrence in normal societal functions. Conflict theory in healthcare According to the conflict theory, medicine has seemingly taken on a superiority which has expanded beyond the act of granting a student or a worker leave from school or work. According to Freidson (1970), contemporary medicine has now taken on the position of defining health, illness, and of treating such illness. The term medicalization of society is set forth by conflict theorists as a way to point out the expanding role of medicine in society and in the establishment of social control (Conrad, 2007). Such control involves strategies which help in managing behavior and in securing societal norms. Usually, informal societal control is seen among peers and families; formal and legal controls are implemented by police authorities and judges. In the same vein, the conflict theory views medicine as a regulating tool. And such control has been exerted in recent years by physicians being allowed to evaluate different issues, including obesity, alcoholism, and even sex addiction. Their expertise in these matters has been supported under the conflict theory because medicine is being considered for its healing and treatment potentials for these conditions (Davidson and Delay, 2008). In effect, medicine is now a tool for evaluating societal issues, in the hope of settling these issues through medical treatment. Another aspect of the conflict theory as applied to healthcare is in relation to health costs and healthcare spending. The theory emphasizes the significance of social inequalities and how such inequalities impact on access to medical care (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). This theory points out that the minorities, the lower classes, and the elderly do not have as much access to healthcare as Whites, the middle and upper classes, men, and the middle-aged. Moreover, many health professionals from the developing regions are migrating to the United States, causing a brain drain of medical professionals in the developing countries (Davidson and Delay, 2008). This brain drain has further contributed to developments being achieved in the developed countries at the expense of developing nations. This imbalance has caused more miserable health conditions for the people in the developing regions, with after-effects including higher infant and maternal mortality rates, child mortality rates, and increased rates for communicable diseases (Davidson and Delay, 2008). For the conflict theorists, they emphasize that the inequalities in health care have unfavorable life-death consequences seen in developing countries; these same issues have lower prevalence rates in developed nations. Interactionism in healthcare According to interactionists, patients are not passive; instead, they have no qualms about seeking professional services for their health issues (Davidson and Delay, 2008). In reviewing health and illness, these interactionists consider the roles being played by health professionals and their patients. They are also very much interested in how medical professionals have learned their roles in society. Davidson and Delay (2008) discusses that the technical terms learned by students in school are the also the ones they eventually follow as physicians. They see the white coat as their costume which helps them appear confident and which identifies them as physicians. Interactionism is seen with the patient’s active participation in health care, even if it is mostly about failing to take his medications (Davidson and Delay, 2008). Some may also read and research about their disease and may take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of disease. The physicians then make the necessary adjustments based on the patient’s activities and interaction with his physician. Symbolic interactionism claims that identity is created through a person’s interaction with others (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). By becoming social, one learns control over the interaction process and to also manage other’s impression of us. Such capacity can be seen when the role of patient is played in relation to health professionals. Other practitioners may also seek to establish impressions of themselves for us. In effect, there is a variation of interactions dominating patient-doctor relationship in its most current context. Similarities and Differences These three theories approach health and illness in different ways, in relation to healthcare costs, the functionalists consider it appropriate for society to prioritize the needs of the more privileged members of society because these individuals are more useful or are more ‘functional’ in society than the lower classes, the minorities, and the elderly women (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). In other words, the functionalist approach has a more practical view of society, as compared to the conflict theorists. The conflict and functionalism theories operate on a macro level of analysis with a wider and broader perspective of health considered in the applications of both theories (Spade and Ballantine, 2011). The interactionist perspective on the other hand is more on the micro level of analysis with face to face interactions between and among involved parties. The main point of functionalism is that healthcare has both positive and negative functions; for conflict theory, its main point is that health care indicates the inequalities in society; and interactionism claims that illness is partly a social construct (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). The main problem uncovered for functionalism is that the system has also some negative functions; for conflict theory it uncovers the fact that too much bureaucracy can cause too excessive cost; and for the interactionism theory, the main issue uncovered is the fact that patients are patronized or infantilized (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). As regards policy implications, the functionalism theory emphasizes that the services to the poor, the elderly, and minorities must be reduced; for the conflict theory, health services for the poor, the elderly, and the minorities must be improved; and for the interactionism theory, the implication is that doctors and nurses must take on the sick role sometimes in order to provide instruction (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). Impact on views of the individual – part of the institution Based on the functionalism theory, doctors are obligated to “act in the best interests of their patients, applying their skill and expertise according to professional codes of conduct” (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). In effect, doctors have various rights over their patients including the right to examine their bodies, and to gain personal details about their patients. Among patients, their illness is often defined as a ‘job’, one which has to be treated through hard work and cooperation with doctors and relatives and by sharing data about the status of the disease (Siddiqi, 1995). In this government and the state provides for education and healthcare services of the family and the members of society in turn pays the taxes upon which the government builds its social services, including health services. The conflict theory is rooted in class struggles. In relation to the individuals involved in health services, the more affluent members of society are seen to benefit more from the current settings, and the poorer members of society are more likely to suffer much discrimination in terms of access to health services (Kendall, 2008). Physicians are also seen to benefit from the capitalist set-up of society. They are in the position to charge exorbitant fees for their services, and clinics, as well as hospitals, and other health facilities can control and drive up the prices of healthcare services. Such measures are very much detrimental to the underprivileged members of society. The interactionist theory focuses on the unequal allocation of resources for health professionals and patients. Such disparities in allocation is mostly based on power struggles and differences in the relative strength of the different personalities involved in all medical encounters (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). As was mentioned earlier, the role of patients is to interact and cooperate with their doctors in implementing the different interventions of their care. Physicians are there to advice their patients of their appropriate interventions for care (Davidson and Delay, 2008). Theories and their approach to social change in health care Functionalists have lost favor in relation to its approach to social change in healthcare (Clouston and Wescott, 2005). Functionalism is faulted because it seems to have an overly socialized view of society, emphasizing on social structures and the agents of socialization to the point of ignoring individual human action and choice. It also stresses on social cohesion which does not account for social change. In effect, it suggests that societies evolve over time, and that changes would eventually take place due to societal need (Clouston and Wescott, 2005). For conflict theorists, inequality in society is considered unfair. However, they also point out that through power struggles, it is possible to implement social change (Andersen and Taylor, 2010). Changes can be implemented and reforms introduced into society through the power struggles and the show of power from the more dominant members of society. In effect, the more that members of society manifest their power, then the more that other members of society would resist such dominance and thereby seek a balance of power – eventually with such goals leading to social change within the health institution. For interactionists, social change is based on the perspectives which different players in healthcare utilize in their relationship with each other. Most patients can comply well with their prescribed treatment; however, some still attempt to maintain their autonomy and insist in their own way (Kendall, 2007). This shows potentials for conflict with other patients, conflicts which also come from the exertion of power by other individuals on a patient. In effect, there is a labeling aspect of illness in terms of diagnosis and in terms of how family members, health professionals, and other people treat such “sick” individual (Palgrave MacMillan, n.d). Social change in this case in terms of perception in health care can be difficult to implement because of these labels. A cancer patient labeled as such would be hard put to declare that despite his illness, he is still a son, a father, or a friend (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). People would still treat him as a ‘cancer’ patient – one who is too ill to make decisions on his own, to enjoy moments with as a friend, or to render discipline as a father. Impact of theories on society In health care, functionalism impacts on the views of society by looking at the role of a sick person in society (Palgrave Macmillan, n.d). The primary focus among these theorists is on how one’s illness is given a specific description in society in order to maintain the stability and cohesion of society (Budrys, 2005). Conflict theorists impact on society by challenging the status quo and insisting on social change, even if such social change would imply an upheaval of the normal societal functions. They also believe that the rich and powerful members of society seek to enforce social change on the poor and the weak by using unfair and unjust tactics. Hence, conflict theorists view the elitists who impose fees and rules of society as self-serving individuals. Finally, for the interactionists, they are focused on the different individuals who play a role in the health and illness issue. They focus on illness and the experience of being sick (Walsh, 2004). Moreover, illness is an accomplishment among the different players, it is more than just a biological issue. Society therefore views the players in terms of how they figure within the health issue. Conclusion The above discussion points out the application of the three theories: functionalism, conflict, and interactionist on health care. This discussion was able to emphasize that functionalism is founded on functions and roles that each person in healthcare plays. Conflict theory is all about power plays – the weak versus the strong, the rich versus the poor and how they are treated in society and in the health setting. Finally, interactionism is about the more personal interactions of the members of society within the health setting. Each of these theories impact on health care in different ways, and their impact is largely based on the foundations upon which they stand. In effect, they help establish a clear perspective of health and the different individuals and players involved in its management and maintenance. Works Cited Andersen, M. & Taylor, H. (2010). Sociology: The Essentials. California: Cengage Learning Budrys, G. (2005). Our unsystematic health care system. Maryland: Rowman and Litttlefield Clouston, T. & Westcott, L. (2005). Working in health and social care: an introduction for allied health professionals. New Jersey: Elsevier Health Sciences Conrad, P. (2007). 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