Multimorbidity: a sociological perspective of systems

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Medical Sociology
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• A systems perspective traditionally informs health and illness studies.
• Understanding the interplay of different sectors is crucial for comprehending health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a sociological approach for understanding multimorbidity.
• To gain insights into the lived experience of individuals with multiple conditions within the social health system.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a sociological framework, building upon Sturmberg et al.'s work.
• Applying sociological concepts such as Parsons' sick role and Bourdieu's habitus, structure, and agency.

Main Results:

• Multimorbidity is framed as a social phenomenon, influenced by economic and systemic factors.
• Changing one's identity is presented as a coping mechanism for individuals managing multiple conditions.
• The doctor-patient encounter concerning multimorbidity presents challenges related to competence and responsibility.

Conclusions:

• A sociological approach offers valuable insights into the experience of multimorbidity.
• Social systems significantly shape the experience and management of multiple health conditions.
• Further examination of the doctor-patient dynamic in the context of multimorbidity is warranted.