Page 15 - Management Theory 2023-2024 Edition

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The Sick Role gives an individual a reasonable excuse for making claims on others for care. People with
symptoms (who are ill) can, with the confirmation (from a health care provider such as a physician), adopt the
sick role (socially defined).

A person can enter the Sick Role if a physician confirms that the person is ill or if a family or friends of the person
are willing to accept the status of “sick”. Thus illness (individually defined) becomes sickness (socially defined),
especially when the physician confirms the existence of a disease.

The following four factors play an important role in determining whether one is defined as “sick” or not.

1. Legitimization by a physician: A patient receives medical care from a physician. Prescriptions are
important evidence of this factor.

2. Symptoms: A pain, discomfort or other manifestation that indicates change in health.

3. Prognosis: The expected outcome of the illness (e.g. probably will get worse, get better, stabilize, or is
uncertain, etc.).

The Sick Role Behavior is a valuable tool in understanding the patient behavior; however this behavior does not
apply to all cases. For example, using a Sick Role Behavior, how can one explain that a chronically ill patient will
“recover”? In such instances, a patient (chronically ill) can adopt a Chronic Illness role.

Orthodox and Unorthodox Healing Systems

An orthodox healing system is defined as a healthcare related service that is scientifically and socially well
accepted around the world (e.g. allopathic medicines and health-related services)

An unorthodox healing system is defined as a healthcare related service that is traditionally accepted but not
socially (e.g. hydrotherapy, wave and radiation therapy, etc.).

Lists of normally employed unorthodox healing systems:

1. Physical therapy
2. Hydro therapy
3. Nutrition therapy
4. Plant-based therapy
5. Wave and radiation therapy
6. Mind and spirit healing
7. Self-exercise
8. Comprehensive system

1. Physical therapy: It can be further classified into the following categories:

a. Massage
b. Rolfing
c. Sensory awareness
d. Acupuncture
e. Reflexology

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