Biomedical Approach

Introduction Since the time of Enlightenment, Western ideas of health view been dominated by the biomedical preliminary. The basis on which these opinions atomic number 18 founded is that an item-by-item is not li able-bodied for their illness and that the mind and body work separately from each other. health, in the eyes of this approach mass be deemed as solely the absence of disease. Part of the reason this vision of health has dominated so much, is that its practiced by the majority of the health artals and is the staple of the c be authoritative in hospitals.The aim of this assignment is to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of this system, and to suggest the advantages that using a mixer flummox to realise health could bring. Discussion Health, is a book of account that carries a broad spectrum of meanings, it is defined differently in all walks of feeling. biomedical health although being the most recognised is not the only approach and has been called by Naidoo and Wills (200, p. 9) a narrow view of health. The social lesson contrasts this approach. It foc consumptions on the social and economic factors regarding health and looks at ways to prevent illness before it occurs.Even in the most affluent countries, population who are less well off have substantially presentlyer brio expectancies (Marmot and Wilkinson, 2003), a social view on health would sign up this knowledge into account, placing emphasis on improving the quality of life to increase life expectancy. Contrastingly the biomedical method would look at a uncomplaining and prescribe necessary medication, although usually being effective in the short term, this would do nothing to stop the somebody runting ill once again as they would return to the same un sanitary lifestyle or environment.This could be seen as im psycheal, precisely this scientific approach can be reclaimable in many scenarios as it has been said by Pearson, Vaughan and FitzGerald(2005, p54) th at the overriding link for the patient is for bring back and control of his or her disease, and this model trusts clear fashion in this respect. The Biomedical Model has strengths in the sense that illnesses are not always occasiond by environmental or lifestyle cerebrate factors. Rather than trying to explain the illness, it searches for a cure.Biomedical science can give instant relief to people who are suffering or in pain, for people involved in accidents and emergency moorages this approach is southward to none. It accepts accidents are sometimes unavoidable and concentrates on restoring the psyche to health in a direct manner. Discarding freak accidents the social model could prove useful. Wilkinson and Marmot(2005, p24) acres individuals turn to alcoholic drink drugs and tobacco, suffer from their use, and it is influenced by the wider social aspect .Upon taking this statement into account, it could be argued that the social model would have a great effect in re ducing the number of people good turn to drugs or alcohol. The biomedical approach would examine the physiology of the situation in an elbow grease to understand why an individual might become subject on a drug. The treatment might consist of giving the patient some other drug to help them come off the substance they are using, but the social method would encourage support groups or the 12 maltreat method that was first practiced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).This method was originally brought about in the 70s and involves patients admitting they are powerless to alcohol and coming to believe that a greater power can bear upon them to health. Although it had much success, it didnt take account for those who did not believe in religion. Since then non twelve step programs have been brought about that focus on counselling patients on how to take control of their lives. Many centres that practice this method such as the Narconon immunity Centre(NFC) claim to have a 70% success r ate.It is apparent that some(prenominal)(prenominal) biomedical and social models have their start in treating addicts and biomedical science could definitely benefit from the use of techniques from the social model in this case. Because the term health is subjective it can be defined differently. The Biomedical approach whitethorn deem someone who is modify as unhealthy. The way they would aim to treat, for instance someone who has lost the use of their legs is to give them a wheelchair, if the person then became depressed they might give them medication to alleviate the symptoms of depression.This scientific model is supported by leaven and does work in the sense that disabled people can get medication to decrease pain or equipment to make mean solar day to day life easier. The social model however approaches impediment in an whole different manner and Smart (2006-2007)states that much of the prejudice and discrimination go through by people with disabilities occurs not in spite of the Biomedical Model, but because of the Biomedical Model. It known that disabled people can much be the target of discrimination and stereotyping, perhaps this has something to do with the picture of disability that has een painted by biomedical science. Because the biomedical approach has been at the capitulum of health it is understandable that people are disposed to think in accordance of its views, but this doesnt mean that they are always right. The profession of medicine has, for centuries, been establish on the two outcome paradigm of cure or death and vestiges of this paradigm are reflected in payment systems. Therefore, afterwards medical stabilization, much of the funding is withdrawn, not taking into consideration the individuals greatest pauperisations (Yelin, 1992). This quote reiterates the point that the biomedical view whitethorn not always be right.The social model in this case would take into account the full recovery of a person so they could return to a desirable quality of life. This is because the social model recognises the fact that if a person is affected by something it can encroachment on their life socially and economically, which in turn can cause numerous problems such as depression, effect on relationships, stress, and anxiety etcetera To see a person as healthy as soon as there condition is stable is a very biomedical approach to the issue, it is possibly unwise to think that as soon as the patient is deemed stable they can return to a normal lifestyle.The come-at-able repercussions of this approach are that many patients will likely return and compulsion more treatment soon after they have left. A electromotive force benefit of using the health model when viewing a situation like the one previously mentioned, is that the patient might be able to receive services like marriage counselling. This is because the social model takes more account of the effects ill health can have on the patients social life.If a patient is depressed this might also have an effect on the health of their friends and family meaning that they too may need healthcare for example a depressed patient may take their anger out by being abusive or convulsive to those around them. This is obviously not good for the familys health so In the grand scheme of things a social approach may also help in keeping the patients family in good health. The heathenish identification of the individual is often ignored because the Biomedical Model is based only on biological, organic needs.Psychiatric disabilities, which are highly dependent upon the environment of the individual, are not well-funded. Such environmental accommodations could render the individual highly functional (Wright, 1991). For people with psychiatric disabilities the biomedical approach may help to calm them down or nullify the effects of their illness. that low is done to improve their quality of life and this, it could be argued, seems most de-humanizi ng. The model of health would prove useful in this situation by simply creating a nicer environment that will greatly assist the person to return to health.If a return to health is not possible, this improvement in environment would still give the person a much more fulfilling life and help to put the families of patients minds at ease. Conclusion On reviewing and comparing the biomedical and social models of health, it can be seen that both models have strengths and weaknesses. Because the biomedical approach has been at the forefront of health people trust it because its what they are used too.. This approach is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence and knowledge and it can efficiently cure a wide range of illnesses or diseases.However the biomedical model takes little into account for the environment of patients and how this can affect their health. The social model realises that health can be defined in ways other than simply the absence of disease. It also takes into ac count that all patients ideas of health are different and require different treatments. On conclusion it is clear that both models are invaluable and the best means for keeping people healthy and administering care would be through using a combination of both methods. Exact word count1490 References Alcoholics Anonymous, n. d.The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. online Available at http//www. aa. org/en_pdfs/smf-121_en. pdf Accessed 18 December 2010 Barker, R. Kirk, J. and Munday, R. J. , 1988. Narrative analysis. 3rd ed. Bloomington Indiana University Press. Marmot, M. G. And Wilkinson, R. G. , 2006 Social Detirminants of Health the Solid Facts 2nd ed, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Naidoo, J. And Wills, J. ,2009 Health Promotion Foundations for practice 2nd ed. London, Balliere Tindall Narconon Freedom Centre, n. d. online Available at http//www. freedomdrugrehab. omAccessed 17 december 2010. Pearson, A. Vaughan, B. and FitzGerald, M. , 2005. Nursing Models for Practice. 3 rd ed. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann. Smart, J. , 2006-2007. Challenges to the Biomedical Model of Disability. Advances in Medical Psychotherapy & Psychodiagnosis, Volume 12,. p1 Wright, B. A. (1991). Labeling The need for greater person-environment individuation. In C. R. Snyder & D. R. Forsythe (Eds. ), Handbook of social and clinical pyschology (pp. 469-487). Elmsford, NY Pergamon Yelin, E. H. (1992). Disability and the displaced worker. New Brunswick, NJ Rutgers University