Introduction to Sociology, Sociology in Healthcare

Sociology importance , Its nature, Characteristics , Applications in Nursing and Healthcare Professionals

1. Srinivas Alakuntla Masters in Hospital Administration (MHA) Apollo Medical college

2. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

3. WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY ?

4. Sociology is a discipline in social sciences concerned with the human society and human social activities . It is one of the youngest social sciences .   Auguste Comte , a French social thinker, is traditionally known as the ‘Father of Sociology ’ as he coined the term ‘Sociology’ in 1839

5. Definition Sociology is derived from the Latin word ‘ societus ’ meaning ‘society’ and the Greek word ‘Logos’ meaning ‘ study ’ , thus sociology means study of society . “ Sociology is the study of Human interactions , interrelation , their conditions and consequences.” Ginsberg “Sociology is the scientific study of society : of Groups, institutions , Organizations and interrelationships between members of society. Elbert W.Stewart

6. Sociology  is the scientific study of  society , patterns of social relationships ,  social interaction , and  culture . Sociology is a science of society, Relationships Study of social life, Human behavior in groups , social action , social groups and system

7. Society

8. NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY In nature of sociology we investigate , what type of subject Sociology is? Is sociology a science, or an art or what? Robert Bierstedt   enlisted the following Sociology is an independent science . Sociology like any other discipline have its own area of study and not fully dependent on other discipline. Sociology is a social science not a physical science . Social sciences focus on various aspect of human society while physical sciences deal with natural phenomena. Thus Sociology is a social science as it deals with man and his social activities .

9. Sociology is a discipline . Sociology is value-free. It is only interested in ‘what is’ and not ‘what should be’ or ‘ought to be ’. Sociology is pure science and not an applied science . As a Pure science it is only interested in acquisition of knowledge, it has nothing to do with application of that knowledge. Like Physics is a pure science while engineering is its application .

10. SOCIOLOGY IS √ SOCIOLOGY IS NOT × Social Science Physical Science Categorical Science Normative Discipline Pure Science Applied Science General Science Special Social Science Abstract Science Concrete Science Generalizing Science Particularising Science Independent Science – Both Rational and empirical Discipline –

11. Uses of Sociology for Nurses: 1 . Knowledge of culture and social life patients . 2 . Maintained of friendly relationships between different personnel's at different levels. 3 . Knowledge of social system and social relationships . 4 . Knowledge of community , resources, and facilities, available. 5 . Knowledge of different sections of society( trial, health, military ). 6 . Knowledge of technology progress and complication 7 . The study of sociology helps nurses identify the psycho- social problems of patients , which helps important the quality of treatment.

12. IMPORTANCE OF SOCIOLOGY Crimes Public unrest Un-employment Housing Problems Illiteracy Poverty Culture

13. Importance and application of Sociology in Nursing 1 . Sociology helps understand those forces and pressures which affect patients adversely. 2 . It helps the nurses understand the behavior, conflicts. Inter personal relationships, hierarchy , group, adaptation. Etc., of different people working in hospital or health institutions . 3 . Through sociology, the nurse gets information about socio-cultural life of the patient is important for the planning and implementation of the treatment . 4 . By the study of sociology , the nurses learn the technique of adjustment that can be used in nursing 5 . A nurse who has knowledge about rituals and customs of different peoples can handle patients who are superstitious have to take medicines and they believe more in which doctors and quacks.

14. As our country biggest drawbacks is illiteracy. A nurse can educate people about clean less, balance diet and also guide mother and child health and vaccination. 7 . Sociology helps, in the understand and eradication of the social problems. 8 . Without sociological knowledge a nurse cannot understand the community. 9 . Studying Sociology helps nursing analyze data because they learn: interview techniques ;to apply statistics; to generate theories.

15. Application of Sociology in Nursing Sociology is a recent addition to the syllabus of medical education Sociology is needed in general to all the medical professions and especially nursing because social conditions are sometimes responsible for health problems. Sociology helps to understand the relationship between disease and social condition .

16. Importance of social environment:  A patient with physical handicap should be understood in the context of his social middle. Psychological , social and vocational handicaps of the disabled person and patients are often related with false attitudes of the people. The nurse should understand the social environment for develop the patient health condition. Importance of understanding the social factors . Sociology helps Nurse to understand the social factors which from the barriers to treatment, rehabilitation and positive outcome.  Nurse to understand the importance of supportive social factors in treating and rehabilitating the patient..

17. Application of Sociology in Nursing Intervention measures In the absence of social worker the Nurse may have to deal with family and other problems such as housing, economics, social, isolation and psychological disturbances of the patient. Intervention on finance and social security measures. Social change and treatment. Modification of attitudes.

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