SOCIOLOGY! Explain the differences between the two models and assess the strengths and weaknesses for each

There are a number of differences between the biomedical and the socio-medical model. The biomedical model focuses on health as being just the absence of disease. This means that it looks at the physical functioning of an individual and ill-health is described as being presence of an illness diagnosed through signs and symptoms from an injury, meaning environmental factors are ignored. The socio-medical model differs however as it focuses on social factors which contribute to the health and well-being of an individual within society. They highlight that environmental and social conditions are contributors of illness/disease and so instead of an individual approach; it focusses on communities and populations in order to promote health. The socio-medical model links easily with the conflict theorists as they believe that short life expectancy and higher morbidity rates among less fortunate individuals are due to the inequalities of the society (Billingham et al 2007). However, the biomedical model links easily with the functionalist perspective as illness is regarded as being dysfunctional for society (Billingham et al 2007). Regarding both models there are strengths and weaknesses. There are a number of advantages to the biomedical model. This model focuses on curing an individual’s illness/disease. Due to this some illness that used to be very fatal can now be cured e.g. some cancers. This is therefore a result of the development of successful treatments due to research being carried out. Health professionals have been well trained and have reliable information/knowledge regarding illness and how they can be treated. Due to this individual’s trust the doctors and other health professionals to cure their illness/disease. If the individual’s health improves it then proves that the doctor is professional and effective. This model relies on ojective and measurable observations and so it is said to be enticing. It also means that findings may be more reliable due to it being succinct (Zigmond, 2012). There are, however disadvantages to this model also. Individuals with a condition such as Downs’s syndrome are not focuses on as the biomedical model sees these individuals as not being normal. A doctor may not be interested in helping an individual with this kind of condition as the doctor’s expertise may not benefit the individual’s quality of life. It means that if an individual with downs syndrome and an individual seen as being normal needed heart surgery which was very expensive, the individual with the condition would not get it. This is because the biomedical model would see this as being wasteful as the individual who is seen as being normal may benefit more from the surgery. The biomedical model doesn’t consider social and environmental factors which can cause illness. The model focuses on biological factors and that medicines can cure illness/disease but completely ignores that it may be environmental factors such as damp within housing which could bring about illness/disease (Coward 1989). Doctors quite often don’t see people as an individual but see them as a case meaning that the treatment provided is due to illness/disease and not by the individual themselves. They tend to label individual with illness in groups even though the illness may be different. An example of this may be two individuals who have the same type of cancer however they illustrate different signs and symptoms and respond to treatments differently. The socio-medical model also has advantages. This model doesn’t just try to find a treatment for an illness/disease, it looks at what causes the illness e.g. environment, diet, mind-set. It then aims to treat the cause. It doesn’t focus on the individual itself but a society as a whole. It takes into consider environmental and social factors and how they can impact the population. There is research to back up information making it more reliable. In the late 19th century there was research carried out which confirms that when living conditions were improved in the UK there was an increase in life expectancy and mortality rates decreased (Billingham et al, 2007). This therefore improved health and reinforces that in this case it was environmental and social factors that caused illness/disease. This model believes that too much money is provided to the medical professionals and not enough given to communities in order to help individuals to improve their living standards. This could help to prevent illness/disease, having a healthier society. Like always, there are also disadvantages to this model. It will take more time to solve an individual’s problems as unlike the biomedical model, the socio-medical model treats the cause of the illness and it may take a longer period of time to find the root cause. Trying to motivate the population into choosing a healthier lifestyle may also be very difficult. Persuading smokers to quit smoking and encouraging individuals to eat healthier isn’t always easy. It will also be difficult to measure the effectiveness of this method. Individuals may not always be reliable in the information that the provided and so it would mean the findings therefore would not be reliable as it would not be a true finding. Dont forget to leave a wee comment!! xo