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Social theory and medicine

H Waitzkin, B Waterman

    International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation
    |January 1, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study critiques sociological theories of health care, including those by Parsons, Freidson, and Mechanic. It highlights their limitations and proposes a Marxist framework emphasizing illness as exploitation and a tool for social stability.

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    Area of Science:

    • Sociology of Medicine
    • Health Care Theory
    • Social Stratification

    Background:

    • Talcott Parsons, Eliot Freidson, and David Mechanic offered sociological frameworks for understanding medical phenomena.
    • Existing theories provide valuable insights but have limitations in addressing contemporary health care challenges.
    • A critical review of these theoretical contributions is necessary for advancing health care sociology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To summarize the strengths and weaknesses of sociological theories proposed by Parsons, Freidson, and Mechanic.
    • To identify gaps in current theoretical frameworks concerning health care.
    • To introduce a Marxist-based theoretical orientation for analyzing medical phenomena.

    Main Methods:

    • Critical analysis of established sociological theories of medicine.
    • Comparative review of theoretical contributions from Parsons, Freidson, and Mechanic.
    • Overview of a Marxist analytical framework for health care.

    Main Results:

    • Parsons' theory of the sick role as deviant behavior is critiqued for its uncritical view of physicians' social control functions.
    • Freidson's critique of professional dominance is noted, yet his work overlooks political implications of controlling professional autonomy.
    • Mechanic's focus on social-psychological factors in illness behavior is found to neglect how illness behavior can foster institutional stability.

    Conclusions:

    • Sociological analyses of medicine by Parsons, Freidson, and Mechanic offer partial explanations but require further development.
    • A Marxist framework provides a more comprehensive view, highlighting illness as exploitation and a mechanism for social stability.
    • Key themes include illness as exploitation, the sick role's conservative function, medical stratification, and institutional imperialism.

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