Bio-Medical Model Vs Social Model

Over the past century, the conditions of human disease have changed a lot from acute diseases to chronic diseases in most of developed countries, so we cannot look at it and treat it in the same ways as before anymore. Biomedical model, therefore, should be adjusted with or replaced by the wide-ranged social models that are more suitable and more effective for resolving modern health issues, because it is narrow and one-sided.

Biomedical model is mainly focus on biomedical changes in human body, which can be classified by medical professionals and isolated from social factor and psychological factor. It can be assumed that illness is caused by bacteria, virus, and so on, which usually be thought of once these causes are removed, the health …show more content…
For example, the 54 years old patient mentioned above who failed to seek for enough care from the doctor. The doctor diagnoses his stroke is because of hypertensive vascular disease and believes he gets good recovery, in which case, the diagnosis is very objective and one-sided.(Wade) This shows biomedical model only analyzes the illness biologically, and only cares about how to treat the disease. However, thinking from social model, apart from the biological aspect, personal behaviour also contribute to stroke, such as uncontrolled diet, alcohol and smoking.(Webmd) Too much cholesterol,saturated fats and salt in food consumption can block the blood flow to the brain that causes stroke, and it also leads to obesity and diabetes that make people less physically active thus increases the risk further. Smoking and alcohol can raise blood pressure, which make the heart work harder that could increase formation of blood clots.(Webmd) These social factors help us to understand why do we have stroke and thus we can avoid to get it. Therefore, social model is definitely broader and more considerate that helps us understand the causes of disease better