Sick Role Theory Essay

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Literature Review This chapter entails a comparison between the practical setting and the theoretical setting of the sick-role theory. The theoretical literature will be described, compared and contrasted to the theoretical basis of the research so as to assist in deciding if Parsons theory that illness is a deviance can be accepted and to discuss the physician-patient relationship that actually takes place in society today. Everyday physicians are faced with patients from different socio-economic class, professions, race and varying religious beliefs suffering from various illnesses.Due to the different status of each individual, not everyone is capable of obtaining similar health care. People experiencing the cycle of poverty are unable to afford the appropriate treatment or medications that are needed for recovery(Kassebaum and …show more content…

Medical experts view illness as deviating from normal well-being biologically while sociologists view illness as a deviance to the social system(Twaddle 1967). In the above mentioned scenario of the man battling lung cancer Parson considers him as deviant as he is unable to fulfill his normal daily responsibilities in society. Parsons theory states that the sick should not be held accountable for his condition but some individuals such as the alcoholic should be held accountable. Parson also stated that everyone should seek competent medical attention but poor people can not do so and the Rastafarians and Italian Catholics will not do so because of religious belief. The blind can not be cured so seeking the doctor will not bring about a change. Parson believes that the patient should follow the guidelines distributed by the physician however if the patients knows something the doctor does not then he could tell the doctor as in the case of his or her allergies and can refuse a