It is not always clear to medical students and workers how to apply social theories to practice medicine, real-life cases, and personal experiences. Meanwhile, the proper use of social theories in practice can provide a better understanding of situations and the people in them and create a more humane and equal environment for both medical workers and patients. It is necessary to build the connection between the most important social theories and practices, including analysis of personal experience. Such theories as role theory, conflict theory, and social exchange theory can provide multilateral, multivariate analysis of complex work situations that inevitably arise in work and offer solutions.
Each theory presented during the course has a place and usage in the medical field and nursing experience. Conflict theory gives us perspective on the positions and life situations of people in conflicting groups who transfer social tension to a particular interaction. Role theory explains how role expectations can conflict with real-life situations and help people negotiate role behavior to resolve misunderstandings (Bradby, 2012). Social exchange theory can point to the lack of mutual benefit received by the opposite parties and indicate how to discuss alternative options for reimbursing this benefit for the dissatisfied party (McEwen & Wills, 2017). All theories can be applied at once to explore various sides of complex and hopeless social interactions at first sight.
The case study example was considered at the intersection of several problems – Natalya, the girl in the example, has a master’s degree and did not have any work experience. This combination of factors immediately led to a conflict between Natalia’s status as a master’s degree holder and her status as a novice worker. In addition, more experienced workers felt insecure due to Natalia’s degree, while Natalia also failed to provide enough value in the eyes of her colleagues. Using conflict and social exchange theories, Natalya’s professor suggested not escalating the conflict, taking her time to show her knowledge, and understanding the other nurses’ views of the situation. From the role theory perspective, the professor proposed clearing up the confusing situation between a high-level degree and a lack of experience and standing in the position of a person who came to learn.
In my nursing experience, a patient demanded attention from the doctor but ignored the nurses who were supposed to provide him with most of the procedures and monitor his condition. According to role theory and social exchange theory, this patient did not see the benefit of nurses and did not understand what functions they perform in modern medicine. In addition, his behavior could be connected to his high social status; the patient could think that he deserves to get all procedures from the high-trained specialist rather than from nurses. Understanding the patient’s view, the nurses explained to the patient what exactly they would do, and what procedure experience they had, and referred to the fact that this was part of her job responsibilities.
To conclude, conflict and challenging situations can be analyzed and solved more accessible using such social theories as role theory, conflict theory, and social exchange theory. Both cases described tense situations that complicated the provision of medical services and paralyzed work. The advantage of a sober, detached, and analytical view of what is happening cannot be overestimated. It can help resolve problems faster and more painlessly and prevent them from escalating. It may be suggested that the work process should include a systematic analysis of conflicting and challenging work moments using social theories.
References
Bradby, H. (2012). Medicine, Health and Society: A Critical Sociology. SAGE.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (5th Edition). Wolters Kluwer Health.