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Outline and explain two ways in which health professionals may affect social class inequalities in health and illness. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 7
Outline and explain two ways in which health professionals may affect social class inequalities in health and illness.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline and explain two ways in which health professionals may affect social class inequalities in health and illness. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
1. Impact on Accessibility of Healthcare Services
Answer
Health professionals can influence social class inequalities by determining the accessibility of healthcare services. For example, middle-class patients often have better access to healthcare providers and facilities that offer higher-quality treatments. This preferential access can stem from established relationships between health professionals and middle-class patients, as well as the language they use and their level of education. Consequently, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds may face challenges in receiving timely medical care, exacerbating inequalities.
Step 2
2. Influence on Treatment Quality
Answer
Another way health professionals may affect social class inequalities is through the quality of treatment they provide. Middle-class patients typically receive more comprehensive and personalized care compared to their working-class counterparts. This disparity can be attributed to the biases that health professionals may hold, leading them to prioritize patients based on socio-economic status. This unequal treatment results in poorer health outcomes for lower-class patients, further widening the gap in health and illness across social classes.