Importance of Sociology & Psychology to Pharmacy

Basma Kentab, MSc.September 2014

Objectives Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of:

1. The need to study social and cognitive pharmacy

2. The relationship between social factors and health and illness

Introduction

• A collection of people sharing common traditions, institutions, territories, activities & interests

Society

• The scientific study of society, including the study of development, structure & functioning of human society, and patterns of social relationships, social action & culture

Sociology

Introduction

• Concerned with the social institution of pharmacy & society as it relates to patients, medicines, & the work of the pharmacist

Pharmaceutical Sociology (Social Pharmacy)

Introduction

• The study of the human mind & its functions as it relates to human behavior, cognition (thought) & experience

Psychology

Introduction

• The study of people’s beliefs & behavior in relation to the activities of the modern day pharmacist , from experiences with health promotion & disease diagnosis in the pharmacy to beliefs & behaviors relating to prescribing, review & dispensing of pharmacologically active compounds by pharmacists

Pharmaceutical Psychology

Introduction

• Involves pharmacy relevant thoughts & beliefs

Cognitive Pharmacy

• Structured attempts to change patients’ behavior through the practice of pharmacy

Cognitive Pharmacy Services

Why Study Social & Cognitive Pharmacy??

Limitation of ‘’biology’’ in explaining all health behaviors and outcomes

Biomedical Model of Health

• Focuses on biological factors that influence health & disease

Bio-psychosocial Model of Health

• Acknowledges a complex interaction of biological, psychological & social factors in influencing health & disease

Why Study Social & Cognitive Pharmacy??

Social & cognitive pharmacy are concerned with the application of psychosocial knowledge to impact on patients’ health & illness-related behavior within the context of practice

Relevance of Sociology to Pharmacy Social factors influence peoples’ health (either in a

health-promoting or damaging way)

Sociology can help pharmacists gain better understanding of why people experience health differently according to their social, economic or political situations

Relevance of Sociology to Pharmacy

Effective Pharmacist

Ability to influence beliefs & behaviors

Psychology

Sociology

Social Determinants of Health WHO Definition

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system

These are shaped by distribution of money, power & resources at global, national & local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices

Are mostly responsible for health inequities (unfair and avoidable differences in health status )seen within and between countries

Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of HealthNeighborhood

conditions& communities

Lifetime & generational

factors

Working conditions

Income & wealthRace & racism

Education

Gender

Social Determinants of Health

Neighborhood conditions

• Water/air quality• Housing factors (overcrowding, exposure to dust)• Access to food• Access to an environment to exercise• Quality of local services (transportation, medical care)• Social relations (trust & understanding)

Social Determinants of Health

Working conditions

• Physical nature of work• Noise levels• Exposure to hazardous chemicals• Long working hours/shift-work• Stressful jobs• Earnings & benefits• Unemployment

Social Determinants of Health

Education

• Literacy level• Employment opportunities• Healthier work conditions & higher pay

Income & Wealth

• Increased income associated with better education quality, childhood circumstances, working conditions

Social Determinants of Health

Race, Racism

• Living in an area in accordance to race resulting in neighborhood inadequate resources

• Long term stress from ethnic bias

Stress

• Can lead to progression or development of disease• Can lead to uptake of risky health behaviors

Social Determinants of Health

Lifetime & generational factors

• Childhood experiences• Health & wellbeing of pregnant mothers• Aging & deteriorating social ties

Gender differences

• Women on average live longer than men• Men more involved in risky employment, unhealthy

behavior as well as higher stress level

Health Outcomes Data Health according to WHO

A state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease

Emphasis on certain prerequisite for health Peace Adequate economic resources Food & shelter Stable eco-system Sustainable resource use

Health Outcomes Data Health statistics may be expressed based on:

Socioeconomic classification Gender Geographic region Ethnicity

Examples of health statistics: Life expectancy Mortality rates Self-reported health

Life Expectancy in KSA, 2012 Data (WHO)

http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/mbd/life_expectancy/atlas.html

Mortality Rate in KSA, 2012 Data (WHO)

http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_Death_rates_2012.png

Commonly Investigated Health Behaviors

Smoking Alcohol consumption Obesity Sexual health

References Donyai, Parastou. Social and cognitive pharmacy:

theory and case studies. London: Pharmaceutical Press;2012. Chapter 1