Contribution of Sociology to our Understanding of the Experience of Chronic illness - Assignment Example

CONTRIBUTION OF SOCIOLOGY TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXPERIENCE OF CHRONIC ILLNESS Name Course Instructor Institution City/State Date Contribution of Sociology to our Understanding of the Experience of Chronic illness A chronic illness is any disease that is prolonged in duration and in many cases, it is rarely cured completely. In most cases it is permanent and causes immature death. Chronic illness is complex because of how it is caused, how it spread and the impact it has on the society. There are different types of chronic illness such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Sociology study’s different parts of human life, but of importance to us is how it helps us in the understanding of the experience of chronic illnesses. Sociologists term the study of chronic illness as humanistic sociology. Chronic diseases are unwanted disruptions in human life. Sociology plays an important role in our communities by clarifying our understanding of chronic illnesses, how to accept them and live with such ailments. For us to know the contributions of sociology to our understanding of the experience of chronic illness, there are some question that need answers, what interest do the sociologists have in the study of chronic diseases? What kind of questions do they ask in the research? What kind of methods do they use in the research? What is the goal of sociology in the study of chronic illness? What Interest do the Sociologists have in the Study of Chronic Illness? Sociology has some goals in the study of chronic illness. Sociology seeks to analyze the behavior of a human being systematically so as to better understand his/ her behavior (Kehoe, 2009). They tackle various aspects of human traits/character and the ways in which such traits affect the way in which an individual relates to societal members. For instance, sociology plays a great role in helping medical practitioners and students alike to better understand the various social aspects influencing the rise of chronic illnesses. According to Kehoe (2009), it’s now common practice that institutions offering medical courses especially in western nations, give courses in sociology of chronic illness so as to enhance the students’ understanding of the social causes and influences of illnesses on the patients (Kehoe, 2009). The sociology of illness enables medical profesionals to better understand the patients interaction with their surrounding. Through the sociology of chronic illness, students studying medicine are enabled to acquire an enhanced understanding of the overall experience of a patient. Such knowledge is extended beyond the vicinty of medical field and sunsequently, adopted in communities that have chrinically ill individuals (Kehoe, 2009). The subjectivity of illness is now an emerging focus of sociology of illness. Illness has a direct effect on the maintenance of a functioning identity that fits the individual’s social role and ensures that this individual’s integrity is maintained. Although illness can disrupt the identity of a patient, it can still be rebuilt (Williams, 1984). What Kind of Questions do the Sociologist ask During the Study of Chronic Illness? When it comes to the actual fields of doing research, it is always a challenge for the sociologists to collect the results and do the analysis (Goshman, 1998). There are two main views of chronic illness; the patients view of themselves (patient self-concept) and what the patients think others view about them. In regard to an illustration by Goshman (1998), it is necesary to pose questions to patients’ self-concept. For instance, do the patients have a conscious mind that tells them they are suffering from chronic illness? This enables the sociologist to know whether the patients has a positive sense, normal ability or a permanent deformity. Once the sociologists has observed and used the above question, it gives a hint on how to interview the patients and how to get information about the chronic disease affecting them. The ability of the sociologists to study chronic illness depends on the kind of questions they ask (Goshman, 1998). After the self- concept of the patient suffering from chronic illness is known, it is much easier to know what the patient thinks others view about the condition. The main reason why questions are asked by the sociologists is to help those suffering from chronic illness cope with there condition by formulating a good diet structure and the type of life style that favors them (Goshman, 1998). What Kind of Methods are Used in Research about Chronic Illness? There are too many people who are affected by chronic illness across the globe and thus sociologists are working on and using different methods to do research about them. Hirschberg (2006) explains different methods used by sociologists in doing research about chronic illness, this enables the establishment of good ways of coping with the deformity and a good knowledge about it. Sociologists use quantitative methods to do there research on people ailing from chronic illness (Hirschberg, 2006). The first method used by sociologist in study of chronic illness is social participation. There are two types of social participation; cultural activities, which includes going to cinema often and going to live events (Hirschberg, 2006). Social activities which includes spending time with friends. It shows how the people suffering from chronic illness behave when socializing with their mates. This method helps the sociologists analyze the patients’ behaviors and know how to help people with such behaviors. The second method is the explanatory factor wehreby various variables for instance money, time, and age are evaluated in reference to underlying fatcors. With regard to economy (money) of the individuals suffering from chronic cancer. For instance, individuals who have less money tend to suffer a lot because they find it difficult to make the ends meet while those who have enough/adequate funds/ money find it easier to make ends meet and they are not affected badly because they are able to maintain themselves (Hirschberg, 2006). Age is a factor to consider when studying the behavior of a person ailing from chronic illness. Most deaths,especially in west and now even in Africa and other in earlier they hardly ever occurred, are as a result of chronic illnesses. The age of the people with chronic illness matters a lot because it shows how long a person suffering from chronic illness can live (Hirschberg, 2006). As a result of changing lifestyles,diseases that were earlier diagnosed among the elderly/older people, are now being found in teenagers and even younger ages. This is greatly attributed to the changed ways in which people feed, for example most the food being sold in supermarkets and shopping stores globally, are mostly processed,containing a lot chemicals. Such chemicals enhance the likelihood of contracting cancer; a chronic ailment known to kill millions globally; on the other hand,consumption of a lot of salt and sugar, is known to increase the likelihood of developing hypertension and diabetes. By using quantitative and qualitative means,sociologists help us to better understand the various aspects , social and otherwise, that affect development of diseases (Hirschberg, 2006). What is the Goal of Sociologists in the Study of Chronic Illness? Sociologists had a goal of making us understand the experience of chronic illness. The main aim of sociologist is to make us understand people with chronic illness and know it is not by choice that people suffer from such illnesses (Thomas, 2004, p. 2). Study done by sociologists helps the people know how to socialize and treat people suffering from chronic diseases in our societies. It is through the research done by the sociologist that has enable them formulate what the patience who suffer from chronic illness need and what they do not need. The main goal of sociology is to make those having chronic illness fell comfortable in the society. As discussed above, sociology has helped the globe understand what chronic illness is, how someone can contract it and how it can be managed. By considering the social aspects influencing the rise and spread of variuos chronic ailments, they are able to form comprehensive views and conclusions relating to the developments of the diseases.As such, unlike an average medical practioner who might only hold basic medical knowlegde and understanding of chronic diseases,a practioner with additional knowledge in the sociology of illness, has an increased apprehension of the ailment and the patient alike, thus enabling him/her to tackle the disease and patient at hand better. Through the study of the chronic illness, those suffering from chronic illness are able to get all types of medication and attention by the society. It has help the people suffering from chronic illness choose their lifestyle and accept this conditions so as to set realistic goals in their lives. Society have been enlightened and shown that those suffering from chronic illness are normal human beings and they need their support and attention. It is good to keep in mind that sociology has broaden our understanding of chronic illness and visualize the needs of those suffering from chronic illness across the globe. In its simplest form, sociology enables any human being, regardless of his/her creed, race, interlect or social ranking, to have an in depth, non biased and impartial view of his/her surrounding. This in depth view of society is what enables sociologist to analyse chronic illnesses efficiently. Considering all the above, it can be concluded that the role and full effect of sociology especially in understanding chronic illnesses only remains to be seen. References Goshman D,S 1998. Health behaviour. Psychology. New York City: Springe. Hirschberg, M 2006. Living with Chronic Illness: an Investigation of its Impact on Social Participation, Reinvention: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research, vol. 5, no. 1, [online] Available at: < http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/iatl/ejournal/issues/volume5issue1/hirschberg/>. Kehoe, C 2009, The sociology of chronic illness: an experiential account of the benefits of a sociological perspective to students of medicine, Limerick Students Journal of Sociology. vol. 1, no.1, p. 1-10. Thomas, CJ 2004, How is disability understood? An examination of sociological approaches, Disability and society, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 569-583. William, G 1984, The genesis of chronic illness: Narrative re-construction, Sociol Health Illn, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 175-200. Read More