introdication medical sociology for nursing

1. University of Kufa
College of Nursing
Medical Sociology for Nurses 2th Year Students (Lecture.1.2)
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UNIT: I
TIME: 2 Hrs
Learning Objectives
 State the importance of Sociology in Nursing.
CONTENT
 Introduction
 Definition of Sociology
 Nature and Scope of the discipline.
 Identify three major sociological theories
 Difference between sociology of nursing to sociology in nursing?
 Uses of Sociology for Nurses.
 Importance and application of Sociology in Nursing.
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Teaching Learning Activity
Lecture Discussion
Assessment Methods
Essay type
Short Answers
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Introduction
ciences. The wordis the youngest of the recognized social sSociology”“
sociology was coined by Auguste Comte – French Philosopher in 1839. He
is consider as a father of Sociology. He believed that a science of sociology
should be based on systematic observation and classification not on
tion.authority and specula
 The word Sociology is derived from the Latin Word ‘Socius’ which
means ‘society’ and the Greek word ‘logos’ means ‘science or study or
advanced study.
 Sociology can be understood as the study of society as society itself has
a huge influence on what we do, how we think and who we are. Sociology
is essentially the study of people, by people how people form cultures,
societies, organizations, laws, beliefs, families, religions, and all other
aspects of human life.

2.  Wright Mills once said that sociologists need to develop a sociological
imagination to study how society affects individuals. Seeing patterns means
that a sociologist needs to be able to identify similarities in how social
groups respond to social pressure
DEFINITIONS:
 Science is a well organized source of knowledge. There are 3 Factors
which are given as under:
1. Explanation of Phenomena: Science explains different Phenomena which
is present around us. E.g., In sociology living standard of families depends
upon the standard of education and economic resources.
2. Classification of Phenomena : Different phenomena are classified into
groups for understanding E.g., in sociology, social institution etc are different
groups.
3. Prediction : It is concerted in changes in space and time rainfall may be
predicted by scientific methods.( Prediction logical deduction from the
hypothesis)
 Method of Science:
1. Description : Science describes natural Phenomena. It consists of correct
observation , collecting data and confirmation of results.
2. Co-relation : There could be a clear cut relationship between observation
and description.
3. Experiments: It means observation under slandered conduction so that it
produces a particular result.
 Positive and Normative Science:
1. Positive Science : It is the study of facts as they- are E.g. Psychology is the
study of facts of mind as they are.
2. Normative Science : It is the study of facts as they should be. Some
examples are as under:
 Ethics : It deals with goodness and rightness of our action
 Logic : It deals with the correctness of our thought
 Aesthetics: It deals with beauty of imagination, creation and perception.
 Sociology: It is the study of origin, structure & function of human groups
and behavior of individuals of their groups .

3.  L.F. Ward, “Sociology is the science of society or of social phenomena”
(social isolation, social security, social skills, social class, social
deprivation )
 Ginsberg, “Sociology is the study of human interaction and
interrelation of their conditions and consequences”
 Emile Durkheim “ Sociology as a science of social institutions”
 Ogburn and Nimkoff “Sociology as the study of social life”
 Kimball Young, “Sociology deals with the behaviour of men in
groups”.
  Subject matter of Sociology 
Sociology is….
 Study of society .
 The science of social life.
 The study of social relationships.
 The study of human behaviour in groups.
 The study of forms of social relationships.
 The study of social action.
 The study of social groups and social systems
 Psychology : It is the study of mind and behavior of humans.
 Psychiatry : It is the study of diagnosis and treatment of mental
disorder.
 Economics : It is the study of social activities of humans by which they
satisfy their needs from mental environment.
 Political Science: It is the study of man and his activity as a member of
the state or other political organization.
 Jurisprudence : It is the study of human activities in terms of law and
formal codes of behaviour.
 Geography: It is the study of natural environments.
 History : It is the study of past social activity and history of present
FIELDS OF SOCIOLOGY: Important fields are as under:
1 . Social Work.
2. Community Health.
3. Law.
4. Health Education.
5. Family Planning.
6. Journalism.
7. Religions. Political

4.  Functionalism (Émile Durkheim)
Views society as a system of highly interrelated structures or parts that
function or operate together harmoniously.
 Conflict theories (Karl Marx )
People are basic struggling battling over something.
Karl Marx : Who believed that the history of society was one of class struggle
 Symbolic interactionism(Herbert Blumer)
A theoretical perspective through which scholars examine the relationship of
individuals within their society by studying their communication (language and
symbols). Which research technique would most likely be used by a symbolic
interactionist Participant observation.
The primary goals of sociology in nursing is promotion of health and
prevention of illness and injury. Health promotion and illness prevention in
the population may be achieved thought intervention direct at the total
population or at the individuals, families and groups that compose of its
member. .

5. Sociology plays, an important role in the area of health sciences. Medicine and
nursing have the common goals of prevention and restoration of health,
however , the primary role of medicine comprises diagnosis and treatment ,
that is the care process ,. The primary role of nursing lies in the care process.
Consisting of caring.
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIOLOGY IN Iraq:
In Iraq , rapid social changes have produced many social problems like:
1. terrorism
2. Prejudice and discrimination.
2. Crimes.
3. Public unrest.
4. Un-employment.
5. Housing Problems.
6. Illiteracy.
7. Poverty.
As we known that the Sociology is a source of knowledge along with its
practical applications and also as a profession, therefore it will help by
planning and solution of problems by sociological knowledge.
What is the difference between sociology of nursing to
sociology in nursing?
Sociology of Nursing would address the study of nurses
themselves and how social factors or forces affect the roles of the nurse and
the evolution of the profession of nursing. focuses on the application of
sociology tools and theories to nursing practice and research.( this approach
focuses on theory and concepts) An example would be the famous book by
Eliot Freidson called '' professional Dominance'' .
Sociology in Nursing : would address sociological knowledge
which would help the nurse do her or his job. The "big three" of sociology
(gender, race and class) would be examples of how this might work- for
example do women who are diabetic have a different way of dealing with
their diabetes based on their social gender roles.(this approach focuses on
applications and solving problems using sociological knowledge) . an
example would be Divid Mechanics studies '' illness behavior'')

6.  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.
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.

7. 6. 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.
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.
 Importance of social environment:
 A patient with physical handicap should be understood in the context of his
social milieu.
 Psychological, social and vocational handicaps of the disabled person and
patietns 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..

8. 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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References
- Schaefer, R .: Sociology A Brief inroducation,6th edition 2006 ,American,
New York, P.P.452.
- Browne,K.: Introducation To sociology, 2011 ,2nd edition, printed and
bouad by MPG Books group.UK,PP.4
-Kindersly,D.: Sociology for Nurses,2010, printed in India by sheel print
pack, P.P. 1,2,17,20,22,23
Good luck
Assist Lecturer Medical Sociology for Nursing : BY Hossam – M