7. Sociological approach in social medicine: sources and methods of collecting personal data, types, advantages and disadvantages, application in medical practice and health services

Sociological approach in social medicine. Source and methods of collecting personal data - types, essence, advantage and disadvantages. Application in medical practice and health services.

• Sociology deals with the study of human relationships and of human behavior for a better understanding of the pattern of human
• Sociology is derived from the Latin “socio“, meaning society and the Greek “logos“, meaning science
• Society is a group of individuals who have organized themselves and follow a given way of life, and sociology is the study of individuals as well as groups in a society

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

• the questions on the polling card must be made after the interviewer has clarity on the objective; purpose; object; who will be polled; and the signs of the study
• The questions are the most important part of the questionnaire method
• They can be divided in three groups:

1. Depending on their place and role in the questionnaire:

• 1. Intro question, 2. Filtering, 3. Main questions

2. Depending on the way they are formulated

• 1. Normal, 2. Situation, 3. In dialogue, 4. Visual presentation, 5. Associative

3. Depending on how the answer is given:

• 1. Open, 2. Fill in the blank, 3. Multiple Choice

THE INTERVIEW AS A SOCIOLOGICAL METHOD

• The interview is a scientific procedure in which by direct oral contact between two or more people individual information necessary for solving a scientific problems is obtained first hand
• Specific characteristics:
• Collecting information of his/her behavior
• The answers are written down
• The interviewer needs a deep background in sociology and psychology

OBSERVATION AS A SOCIOLOGICAL METHOD

• Observation is a scientific method in which the behavior of a person is observed or his reactions in a certain situation is observed and registered
• The important differences between scientific observation and normal observations (every day casual observations) are:
• there is a specific objective in this method
• the information is registered and recorded in files and documents
• Positive side: lets us to determine in depth the social aspects of the observed, the observation is done in a real environment by the interaction with people
• Negative side: Can be used for observing now but gives no information about the past, has limited range