For this weeks blog entry, given the material from lesson 8 on health, the recent covid-19 is a relevant topic to discuss. The biomedical model discussed, is the theoretical frame work that guided medical advances leading the ability to conquer a a number of life-threatening diseases. This model is based on the idea that illnesses can be explained by examining problems in an organism’s biological functioning (cell functioning and biochemical imbalances). This is a great theory, however there are more factors that play apart in illness and disease. Some factors that can be applied are in the biopsychosocial model (Gruman, 2016, p. 193).
The biopsychosocial model addresses biological factors (genetics, exposure to virus), psychological factors (individual differences in experience of pain or other symptoms, personal coping styles), and social factors (socioeconomic factors, social support, education level). Biological factors overlap with the biomedical model, however the biomedical model does not address psychological and social factors which are also factors pertaining to illness and disease. For example, individuals with a low socioeconomic status having higher probabilities in developing and engaging in bad behaviors such as alcohol abuse and smoking. Both of these bad behaviors leave the low SES individuals at higher risk for developing liver disease and coronary heart disease.
What does this have to do with the Covid 19? Well it is pertaining to the health of individuals, the medical field, the influence of the media, and certain appeals portrayed by big organizations to influence a population to take action in something. I figured a relevant topic could be the most recent world pandemic. The media, the government, and The World Health Organization used both informational appeals and fear appeals when it came to the most recent virus Covid-19. The informational appeals would be the precautions to take such as: wearing masks, staying home, maintaining distance, and taking the vaccine. The fear appeals were the incidents and reported deaths from the virus. Yes, illnesses, diseases, and viruses should always be taken seriously. However, why was almost everyone subjected to get the vaccination?
Social influences such as schools, peers, teachers, occupations, and family members had influenced some individuals decision in getting the vaccine. On the opposite side, some individuals have lost social support systems due to not taking the vaccine such as: family members disowning them, college students being kicked out of school, and job losses. Those who are unvaccinated should stay home and avoid public places. Do we not take into account for the high risk and low risk populations when it comes to vaccine consideration. High risk (those who are more susceptible to contracting the virus and potential death) are those who are elderly, obese, smoke, and have poor eating habits. The low-risk population would be minors, those who have good immune systems, little to no bad habits, better diets, good metabolism, etc.
There was a lot of confusion within the past two years of who is right and who is wrong. I believe that both sides are right and wrong when pertaining to this topic. Humans have built in immune systems that help them fight infections. I am a 21-year-old 125 pound female, who has had covid twice. Both incidences, I was sick for a single day and the illness had run its course. I still quarantined to prevent spreading it to others, however this personal experience supports the claim that more factors play apart in illness and disease than the biomedical model. The biopsychosocial model has better explanations as to why illness and disease occur. Specifically the psychological perspective that individuals experience everything differently. Given gender, culture, genetics, social environment, balanced or imbalance hormones, diet, healthy habits, bad habits, etc. All these factors play a role in whether or not an individuals is highly susceptible or not. For example, I would consider myself low risk considering I am young, eat a balanced diet, and am not overweight. I have one a wonderful social support system, which genuinely improves my mental and physical health. However. Also, the fact that viruses constantly “As long as the coronavirus spreads through the population, mutations will continue to happen, and the delta and omicron variant families continue to evolve. New variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are detected every week” (Bollinger, 2022).
References
Bollinger, R., Ray, S., Maragakis, L. (2022). COVID Variants: What You Should Know. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/a-new-strain-of-coronavirus-what-you-should-know#:~:text=Yes.,every%20week%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ray%20says.
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.
Hi fellow classmate,
This week’s lesson and textbook chapters taught me about the biomedical model and biopsychosocial model as well. I believe that Covid-19 is a great topic to talk about when regarding the biomedical model and biopsychosocial model. I agree with you that the difference between the biomedical and biopsychosocial model is that the biopsychosocial model addresses biological factors, psychological factors, and social factors, whereas the biomedical model only recognizes biological factors (Gruman., et al, 2016). It appears that in your blog you addressed how social factors influenced individuals getting the Covid-19 vaccine. The social factors you suggested were schools, peers, teachers, etc. What I noticed wasn’t in your blog were biological and psychological factors. Some biological factors why individuals may or may not get the vaccine are age, weight, and underlying diseases. Some psychological factors why individuals may or may not get the vaccine are mistrust, conspiracies, fear of needles, and fear of pain. Now these are just some extra examples to unpack for your topic. Another perspective that I would have to add to your blog is that the biomedical model doesn’t look at psychological and social factors to cure a disease and instead tries finding a bacteria or virus to heal physically rather than something that could potentially be mental (Gruman., et al, 2016). It is important to look at all factors even when it comes to a disease like Covid-19 because it affects individuals socially and psychologically too. The other models focus on three factors. As we see in the biopsychosocial model, it looks at biological, psychological, and social factors altogether to understand psychological and social factors and how these can influence health as well (Gruman., et al, 2016). Overall, I agree that the biopsychosocial model better explains why illness and disease occur because they all play a role in how susceptible an individual is. This is a great post and it gave me a new perspective!
Reference
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology :
Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE Publications,
Incorporated.