Medical Model

Definition

The medical model is a framework for understanding disability that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of individuals' impairments. This approach views disability primarily as a deficiency or abnormality within the person, emphasizing the need for medical intervention to cure or manage the condition. It often leads to perceptions of disability as a problem that resides within the individual rather than considering social, environmental, or systemic factors that may also contribute to the experience of disability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The medical model has historically dominated the understanding and treatment of disability, prioritizing clinical assessments and interventions.
2. Critics argue that the medical model can lead to stigmatization and marginalization of individuals with disabilities by framing them solely in terms of their impairments.
3. The medical model emphasizes a standardized approach to diagnosis and treatment, which may not consider individual experiences and needs.
4. While the medical model plays an important role in addressing health issues, it may overlook the impact of societal barriers on individuals' quality of life.
5. The shift towards more inclusive approaches, such as the social model, encourages broader recognition of how societal attitudes and policies can disable individuals.

Review Questions

• How does the medical model define disability, and what implications does this have for treatment?
  • The medical model defines disability as a deficiency or abnormality within an individual that requires diagnosis and treatment. This view leads to an emphasis on medical interventions to cure or manage disabilities, potentially neglecting the social context in which these individuals live. As a result, it may create a one-dimensional perspective that does not address broader issues affecting people with disabilities.
• In what ways can the medical model contribute to societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities?
  • The medical model can contribute to societal perceptions by framing individuals with disabilities primarily as patients needing care or intervention. This perspective may reinforce stigma and limit opportunities for individuals by focusing on their limitations instead of their abilities. When society views disability through this lens, it can lead to systemic barriers that further isolate and marginalize these individuals.
• Critically analyze how the medical model's approach could be integrated or contrasted with the social model in contemporary practices.
  • Integrating aspects of the medical model with the social model involves recognizing the importance of health interventions while also addressing environmental and societal factors that contribute to disabling experiences. While the medical model is essential for diagnosing and treating impairments, it should not be the sole framework guiding practice. A more holistic approach combines necessary medical care with efforts to remove societal barriers, promote inclusion, and advocate for systemic change to enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Related terms

Social Model:

The social model of disability posits that society and its structures create barriers that disable individuals, rather than the individuals' impairments being the sole cause of their disability.

Functional Limitation: Functional limitation refers to restrictions in an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living due to their impairment, often assessed in the context of medical evaluation.

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation involves therapeutic interventions aimed at improving individuals' functioning and quality of life following an injury or illness, often rooted in the medical model perspective.