The Biomedical Approach to Health (VCE SSCE Health and Human Development): Revision Notes
The Biomedical Approach to Health
The biomedical approach to health, alongside developments in medical technology, has played a crucial role in improving Australia's health status since 1900. Working together with public health initiatives, this approach has contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced mortality rates, and better infant survival.
What is the biomedical approach to health?
Etymology: The term 'biomedical' originates from the Greek word bios, meaning 'life', and the Latin word medicus, meaning 'healing'.
The biomedical approach to health concentrates on the physical and biological dimensions of disease and illness. This medical model is practiced by doctors and health professionals and centers on the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disease.
Often called the 'band aid' or 'quick-fix' approach, the biomedical model works by identifying diseases and treating them once symptoms have appeared. It relies heavily on technology for diagnosis and cure, as well as the expertise provided by doctors, specialists, and hospital services.
A key characteristic of the biomedical approach is its focus on individuals who are ill, rather than the population-based perspective taken by public health approaches. The goal is to restore people to their pre-illness state of health and wellbeing. However, this approach concentrates on the condition itself rather than investigating the underlying reasons for illness. As a result, education about behavioral and sociocultural factors that could improve health status is generally not included.
The biomedical approach centers on disease, illness, or disability. It works to return individuals to good health but does not emphasize addressing the root causes of these conditions. Treatment is seen as the solution to disease, rather than prevention or health promotion.
The dominance of medical science
Throughout the twentieth century, the biomedical approach became the dominant model in healthcare as people sought to understand and treat the diseases prevalent at that time. This led to a significant shift in health policy toward curative and restorative medicine, creating increased demand for hospital and medical care.
Treatment under this model requires skilled diagnosis and increasingly sophisticated medical technology. These complex technologies place considerable financial pressure on the healthcare system and account for a substantial portion of the healthcare budget.
Advances in medical technology
Technological advancements in medicine have enabled better diagnosis, treatment, and cure of many diseases, contributing significantly to increases in life expectancy over time. The development of vaccines throughout the twentieth century brought about substantial improvements in health status, and research continues today to develop new vaccines for diseases such as HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
The discovery of antibiotics
Major Breakthrough: One of the major medical breakthroughs following World War II was the discovery of antibiotics. Combined with vaccines, antibiotics led to further reductions in deaths from infectious diseases including pneumonia, venereal disease, and syphilis.
The discovery of penicillin as an antibiotic was particularly important in reducing both illness and death associated with infections.
Antibiotics also contributed to a significant decline in maternal mortality. Previously, many women had died from infections during childbirth, but antibiotics dramatically reduced these deaths.
Cardiovascular disease: A case study in medical advancement
Medical Advancement Case Study: Cardiovascular Disease
The progression of treatment for cardiovascular disease clearly demonstrates the drive to better understand disease causes and develop advanced treatments.
Early 20th Century Challenge: Early in the twentieth century, diseases of the cardiovascular system were a major cause of death, yet little was understood about their causes or how the heart and cardiovascular system functioned.
Phase 1 - Early diagnostic tools:
- 1910: Introduction of the sphygmomanometer and stethoscope enabled doctors to measure blood pressure for the first time
- 1941: New X-ray techniques allowed doctors to view the heart's action using dye inserted into blood vessels
These developments meant doctors could better diagnose cardiovascular problems, but they still lacked effective treatments.
Phase 2 - Treatment breakthroughs:
- Mid-1950s: The heart-lung bypass machine was developed, allowing surgeons more time to perform complicated heart procedures
- From 1967: Surgery was being used to bypass obstructions in the coronary arteries, helping to relieve pain, improve quality of life, and decrease mortality
- Ongoing: Development of antihypertensive drugs helped reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease through the management of high blood pressure
Result: Advancements in technology and efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease mortality continue today, demonstrating the progressive nature of biomedical innovation.
Advantages of the biomedical approach
The biomedical approach to health offers several important advantages and has contributed significantly to improvements in Australia's health status over time.
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Funding brings improvements in technology and research | Without the biomedical approach, we would not have X-rays, antibiotics, or anesthetics. Our knowledge of how to diagnose and treat illness would be extremely limited. |
| Enables effective treatment of many conditions | Most people take for granted the range of medicines they have used throughout their lives. These medications prevent or treat diseases that would otherwise cause considerable ill health or death. |
| Extends life expectancy | Many causes of death that were common historically, such as infectious diseases, can now be treated and cured, leading to increased life expectancy. |
| Improves quality of life and health adjusted life expectancy | Chronic conditions can be managed through medication, therapy, or surgery, significantly reducing pain and suffering. |
Disadvantages of the biomedical approach
While the biomedical approach is a vital component of the healthcare system, it also has several limitations that must be considered.
| Disadvantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Relies on professional workers and technology, making it costly | Because this approach focuses on individuals, people with specialist knowledge are required to treat patients adequately. As knowledge and technology have advanced, the costs of training and equipment have increased substantially. Some diagnostic machines (such as MRI scanners) and treatment systems (such as robotic surgery equipment) can cost millions of dollars yet only treat a small number of patients daily. |
| Doesn't always promote health and wellbeing | The biomedical approach can encourage reliance on quick-fix solutions rather than promoting healthy behaviors. Because it focuses on the condition rather than what caused it, this approach does not encourage people to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. |
| Not every condition can be treated | Those relying on biomedical interventions to restore optimal health may face conditions that cannot be cured or treated effectively. Some of these conditions might be preventable through behavior change, but this is not emphasized in the biomedical approach. Cancer is an example of a condition with available treatments but, in many cases, no cure. |
| Affordability creates inequities | Not all individuals can afford the medical technologies and resources that form part of the biomedical approach. This is an important factor contributing to health status differences between population groups. |
Despite its vital role in the health system and its contribution to Australia's high level of health status, the biomedical approach has these important limitations that must be acknowledged.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- The biomedical approach focuses on the physical and biological aspects of disease, emphasizing diagnosis and treatment rather than prevention or underlying causes.
- This approach became dominant in the 20th century, leading to increased demand for hospital and medical services and placing financial pressure on the healthcare system.
- Major technological advances like antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostic equipment have significantly improved life expectancy and quality of life.
- Key advantages include effective treatment of many conditions, extended life expectancy, and improved quality of life through medical interventions.
- Important disadvantages include high costs, limited health promotion, inability to treat all conditions, and affordability barriers that contribute to health inequities.