Inequalities in Access 2
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 5.3.5
Social Class and Access to Healthcare
Inequalities in access to healthcare concern themselves with whether or not people have equal opportunity to make use of the services they require and need or whether some are less effective than others in getting their need met.
Causes of inequality
- Those in poorer social classes access healthcare less, relative to their needs, than those in higher social classes.
- Those in poorer social classes are less likely to own their own transport, resulting in added time required to get to hospitals or GP surgery’s.
Causes of inequality cont.
- Because there are fewer GP’s in poorer areas, people living in these areas have to wait longer for appointments.
- Some people from poorer social classes may find it more difficult to take time off to attend appointments.
- While wealthier people might be able to afford private healthcare, poorer groups have to rely on solely on the NHS.
Quality of healthcare
- Middle class people might get a better quality of healthcare than working class patients due to higher levels of cultural capital.
- The middle-class are generally better educated, know more about illness and understand better how to prevent it, as well as a better understanding of how the healthcare system works and how to access it.
Accessing quality healthcare
- The middle-class are generally more self-confident, effective and assertive with doctors and other health professionals.
- The middle-class are more likely to be able to effectively express their health needs and describe their symptoms, resulting in a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Accessing quality healthcare 2
- The middle-class are more likely to demand and get longer consultations with the doctor, ask more questions and get a more detailed explanation about their illness.
- The middle-class are more likely to be able to persuade doctors to refer them to specialist consultants.
- The middle-class are more likely to fight against inadequate medical services and use complaint procedures.
Gender and Access to Healthcare
Inequalities in access to healthcare concern themselves with whether or not people have equal opportunity to make use of the services they require and need or whether some are less effective than others in getting their need met.
Women
- Women access healthcare more than men.
- Women’s socialisation encourages them to take better care of themselves.
- Women are more willing to report physical and mental health problems to their GP.
Female socialisation
- Women are generally the managers of family health matters, that is, they are usually the ones who take the children to see the doctor and generally concern themselves with family health matters.
Men
- Men are less likely to access healthcare than women.
- Men have a greater fear of consulting doctors.
- Men are more likely to believe that healthcare services have less to offer them, especially in regards to mental health.
Male socialisation
- Masculine identities often mean that men see help-seeking as emasculating.
- Gender socialisation means that men are less open and willing to discuss their health problems.
Ethnicity and Access to Healthcare
Inequalities in access to healthcare concern themselves with whether or not people have equal opportunity to make use of the services they require and need or whether some are less effective than others in getting their need met.
Education
- Ethnic minorities are less likely than other groups to access healthcare for a number of reasons.
- Poorer levels of education and social marginalisation means that they may not be aware of, or understand how to take advantage of, the healthcare services available.
Language
- Language, communication and culture differences may result in poorer levels of engagement and understanding between ethnic minority patients and healthcare staff.
Cultural diversity
- Lack of cultural diversity in the healthcare workforce might mean that patients are unable to see a healthcare professional who speaks their language or understands their culture, leading to lower levels of empathy and less patient satisfaction.
Stigma
- Stigma and lack of trust.
- For example in the Roma and traveller community, discrimination and harassment have led to a fear and distrust of authority.