Behavioral Sciences and Ethics Semester 1

Behavioral Sciences and Ethics Lesson

• Medical Sciences Program, Semester 1, Year 1
• Professor Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Khan
• BIU

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to apply behavioral science concepts to analyze real-world scenarios in healthcare.
• Students will be able to analyze and illustrate core components of the sociological perspective, including sociological imagination.
• Students will be able to compare and contrast medical sociology and medical psychology within healthcare practice.
• Students will be able to examine social stratification through examples.

Attitude

• Definition: A mental and emotional state reflecting how one feels about something, someone, or a situation.
• Components: Cognitive (beliefs), affective (feelings), and behavioral (intentions).
• Internal: Primarily internal thoughts, feelings, and tendencies.
• Example: A positive attitude toward health involves believing health is important, feeling concerned about health.

Behaviour

• Definition: Outward expression of actions or reactions in response to stimuli.
• Observable: Directly observable and measurable by others.
• Influence of Attitude: Behavior can be influenced by attitude, but is not always consistent with it. External circumstances can sometimes lead people to act against their attitudes.
• Example: Someone with a positive attitude toward health might still make unhealthy choices because of peer pressure.

Introduction to Behavioral Sciences in Healthcare

• Definition: Behavioral sciences study human actions and interactions, focusing on social, psychological, and cultural influences.
• Importance in Healthcare: Enhances understanding of patient behaviors, improves healthcare delivery through empathy and social awareness.

Key Behavioral Science Concepts

• Medical Sociology: Study of social factors influencing health and healthcare systems.
• Socialization: Process by which individuals learn norms and behaviors impacting patient-provider interactions.
• Social Stratification: Classification based on socioeconomic factors influencing healthcare access and outcomes.

Medical Sociology in Healthcare

• Examines social determinants of health (income, education, social support).
• Example Scenario: How socioeconomic status affects treatment adherence.
• Application: Use patient's social background to tailor healthcare plans (e.g., low-cost treatment options).

Socialization and Healthcare

• Socialization shapes health beliefs and practices influencing patient behaviors.
• Example Scenario: Differences in health practices due to cultural upbringing.
• Application: Providers use cultural competence to respect and address diverse patient needs.

Detailed Analysis of Sociological Theories

• Functionalism: Focuses on how health systems contribute to societal stability and well-being.
• Conflict Theory: Examines power struggles and inequities within healthcare institutions.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Looks at daily interactions and their meanings.

Functionalism in Healthcare

• Explains the role of healthcare in maintaining societal norms and expectations.
• Impact: Stability through preventative care and health education.

Conflict Theory in Healthcare

• Discusses how economic and social inequalities affect health access and quality.
• Real-world implications: Strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities.

Symbolic Interactionism in Healthcare

• Studies the significance of patient and provider interactions.
• Examples: How perceptions of illness can alter patient engagement and treatment.

Social Stratification's Impact on Health

• Describes the hierarchy impacting access to resources.
• Example Scenario: Patients in lower socioeconomic strata face barriers to healthcare services.
• Application: Address healthcare inequities through community health initiatives.

Behavioral Sciences' Role in Understanding Patient Behavior

• Incorporates Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology to predict patient responses.
• Example Scenario: Patient non-compliance due to stress or family pressures.
• Application: Behavioral interventions (e.g., counseling) to improve health outcomes.

Analyzing Real-world Scenarios: Case Study

• Case Study: A patient from a lower-income background with chronic illness struggling with treatment adherence.
• Analysis using behavioral science concepts: Medical sociology and socioeconomic barriers affecting adherence.

Application in Real-world Settings

• Identify patient backgrounds and social determinants.
• Communication is for patient's cultural and social context.
• Develop targeted interventions addressing needs.

Sociological Perspective

• Definition: Examines how individual behaviors and beliefs are shaped by society and social structures.
• Importance: Understand how societal factors influence thoughts, actions, and opportunities. Encourages critical thinking about personal experiences.

Core Components of the Sociological Perspective

• Social Structure: Organized patterns of relationships and institutions shaping society.
• Social Institutions: Family, religion, education, and healthcare as major structures affecting individuals.
• Social Forces: Economic, cultural, and political pressures shaping individual and group behavior.
• Social Interaction: Day-to-day interactions reinforcing societal norms and expectations.

Introducing the Sociological Imagination

• Definition: An ability to see the relationship between personal experiences and larger social forces. Recognizing that personal troubles are often rooted in public issues.
• Example: A person's job loss, while seemingly personal, can be influenced by larger economic forces like recessions or industry shifts.

Analyzing the Sociological Imagination with Examples

• Example 1: Unemployment.
  • Personal View: "I lost my job because I wasn't skilled enough."
  • Sociological Imagination: "Job loss can be due to economic downturns affecting entire industries."
• Example 2: Health issues.
  • Personal View: "My lifestyle choices caused my illness."

Benefits of Using the Sociological Imagination

• Key Benefits: Encourages critical thinking beyond individual perspectives, promotes empathy and understanding of others' life challenges, identifies social patterns that can inform policy and community change.
• Application in Daily Life: Encourages looking at personal challenges with a broader societal context.

Introduction to Social Stratification

• Definition: Hierarchical ranking of individuals and groups based on factors such as wealth, education, race, and occupation.
• Key Components: Class, status, power.
• Purpose of examination: Recognize how stratification affects healthcare access, treatment quality, and patient outcomes.

Layers of Social Stratification in Society

• Class: Economic status often dictates access to healthcare services.
• Race and Ethnicity: Can influence healthcare quality and treatment disparities.
• Education: Higher educational levels correlate with better health literacy and access.
• Occupation: Job status can affect healthcare coverage and resources.
• Examples: Low-income vs. high-income access to preventive care, differences in care based on geographical factors.

Impact of Social Stratification on Health Outcomes

• Health Disparities: Increased rates of chronic disease among lower-income groups, higher maternal mortality in marginalized racial groups.
• Quality of Care: Differential treatment due to implicit bias or resource scarcity.

How Social Stratification Impacts Healthcare Access

• Economic Inequities: Wealthier have better access to high-quality care.
• Geographical Barriers: Rural and underdeveloped areas often lack healthcare infrastructure.
• Social Inequities: Marginalized groups may face discrimination, impacting care quality.
• Examples: Urban areas with wealth concentration tend to have advanced healthcare facilities, rural communities may face shortages in providers.

Implications of Social Stratification in Healthcare Settings

• Healthcare Provider Bias: How implicit bias can impact patient-provider relationships and diagnosis accuracy.
• Resource Allocation: Disproportionate resources available to marginalized communities.
• Policy and Systemic Barriers: Limited healthcare policies to mitigate disparities.

The Role of Health Policy in Addressing Social Stratification

• Government Programs: Insurance programs and subsidized health clinics aim to reduce disparities.
• Community Health Initiatives: Mobile clinics, telemedicine, and educational outreach can help bridge access gaps.
• Example: Free clinics in underserved areas.

Addressing Social Inequalities in Healthcare

• Healthcare Professionals' Role: Providing culturally sensitive care, advocating for fair healthcare practices and policies, engaging in continuous learning about social determinants of health.
• Example Actions: Implementing patient-centered care practices, supporting diversity in healthcare.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

• How can healthcare systems be made more equitable?
• What role can healthcare professionals play in reducing systemic biases?
• What policies might help mitigate disparities?