Medical model of disability

Definition

The medical model of disability is a framework that views disability primarily as a physical or mental impairment that needs to be diagnosed, treated, or cured. This perspective emphasizes the individual’s limitations and focuses on medical interventions to address those impairments, often sidelining the social and environmental factors that contribute to the experiences of disabled individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The medical model was dominant in the 19th and 20th centuries and often led to the institutionalization of disabled individuals.
2. This model tends to focus on what is 'wrong' with the individual rather than considering how society might be structured in ways that disable people.
3. Critics argue that the medical model can perpetuate stigma and reinforce negative perceptions about disability by framing it as a problem to be fixed.
4. The medical model is often contrasted with the social model, which emphasizes social barriers and advocates for societal change rather than focusing solely on individual impairments.
5. While the medical model has contributed to advancements in healthcare and rehabilitation for disabled individuals, it can also lead to a narrow understanding of disability that ignores personal and social identities.

Review Questions

• How does the medical model of disability differ from the social model in understanding disability?
  • The medical model views disability primarily as an impairment that requires treatment or intervention, emphasizing individual limitations. In contrast, the social model argues that disability arises from societal barriers and attitudes, focusing on how these obstacles can be removed to empower individuals. While the medical model seeks to fix or cure disabilities, the social model advocates for inclusivity and accessibility in society.
• Discuss how the medical model of disability has influenced healthcare practices for disabled individuals over time.
  • The medical model has significantly shaped healthcare practices by prioritizing diagnosis and treatment of impairments. This approach led to advancements in medical interventions, therapies, and rehabilitation techniques aimed at addressing specific disabilities. However, it has also resulted in practices that may overlook the importance of patient autonomy and their lived experiences, often prioritizing clinical perspectives over holistic care.
• Evaluate the implications of adhering strictly to the medical model of disability in policy-making and societal attitudes towards disabled individuals.
  • Strict adherence to the medical model can lead to policies that focus predominantly on diagnosis and treatment rather than addressing broader social issues like accessibility and discrimination. This approach may reinforce negative stereotypes about disabled individuals as needing to be 'fixed' rather than recognizing their contributions to society. As a result, it can hinder progress towards more inclusive practices and support systems that consider the diverse experiences of disabled people beyond just their impairments.

Related terms

social model of disability:

A perspective that argues that disability is created by societal barriers and attitudes rather than by individual impairments, advocating for changes in society to accommodate all individuals.

impairment: A loss or abnormality of a physiological or psychological function, which can contribute to a person being classified as disabled within the medical model.

rehabilitation: The process of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy, often emphasized in the medical model as a key intervention for disabled individuals.