3.2.1.d Biomedical and Social Model

The document discusses the relationship between the biomedical and social models of health in the Australian health care system. It utilizes aspects of both models to create positive health outcomes. The models each have strengths and limitations, and combining them can help address more health issues than either could alone.

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3.2.1.d Biomedical and Social Model

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lachykoumis

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3.2.

1d Relationship between the biomedical and social model of health

The current health care system in Australia utilises aspects from both the biomedical and
social model of health. By themselves they are both flawed but utilising aspects from both
can create positive health outcomes for Australians

Part 1 – Strengths and Limitations

1. Copy each of the words in the list below and place them in the correct box

Biomedical Social Model

Who it focuses on Individual Population
What it focuses on Focus on cure Focus on prevention
Problem – conditions it Not all conditions can be Not all conditions can be
can’t help. treated prevented

2. Use the 3.2.1 Study Notes – Biomedical vs Social to record strengths and limitations
of each model.

Strengths of Limitations of Strengths of social Limitation of the

Biomedical model Biomedical model of health social model

Focus on cure Not all conditions can Focus on prevention Not all conditions can
be treated be prevented
Individual Population
Focus on cure Focus on prevention
Part 2 – Case Study
Use the information you have recorded in 3.2.1c – New Public health and Social Model and
the information in the 3.2.1 Study Notes – Biomedical vs Social Model.
List 3 biomedical actions and 3 social model actions that could be taken to improve the issue
of obesity and heart disease. Make sure you indicate how it reflects each model.
Model of Healthcare Action that could be Principle of social model (AREAS) or
taken characteristic of biomedical model involved.
Biomedical Blood pressure (focuses on treating symptoms)
medication
Vaccinations Preventing heart diseases
Diagnose Getting an official record to address
behaviour
Social Education around Empowers Individuals and community
limiting a high
cholesterol diet
Adding health clinics Access to health care
Health awareness Intersectorial Collaboration
programs, better
diets

Part 3 – Exam questions

Question 1
Select a health condition or risk factor and analyse the strengths and limitations of
biomedical and social models of health in bringing about improvements in health status in
relation to this issue. 6 marks

Your Response: Obesity

A biomedical action that can be used to reduce health status issues associated with
obesity could be better dietary requirements. If a patient already is obese then a better
diet is good which can help reduce the chances of getting cardiovascular disease. A
limitation is that it does not force the choices of having a good diet, which can still leading
to poor eating.

Criteria Completed

Hurdle – identify health condition

1 mark – identify 1 biomedical action relating to the health condition

1 mark – identify strength of this action

1 mark – identify limitation of this action

1 mark – identify 1 social model action relating to the health condition

1 mark – identify strength of this action

1 mark – identify limitation of this action

Sample Response: (for lung cancer/smoking – pick a different one!)

A biomedical action that can be used to reduce the health status issues associated with smoking
could be chemotherapy. If a patient already has cancer chemotherapy is useful because it can
reduce the disease or even cure the patient of the cancer. A limitation is that it does not prevent the
patient from getting cancer in the first place.
A social model action would be to change laws to make smoking less prevalent. A strength of
this approach is that if it stops people smoking, many people will be prevented from developing
lung cancer, and a weakness is that this will not help people who have already developed
cancer.
Bonus practice question (3 marks)
Using an example of disease, explain the relationship between the biomedical and social models of health.

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