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A Critical Analysis of the Medical Model as used in the Study of Pregnancy and Childbirth

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  • Edwin van Teijlingen

Abstract

One key concept in medical sociology/anthropology for the analysis of approaches to health and illness is the medical model. However, this medical model is not only applied at the analytical level, i.e. as a sociological tool, but it also appeals to health service providers at a practical level as a model of working practice. This paper challenges the uncritical use of the medical model by practitioners and social scientists alike. The purpose of this paper is to separate and analyse the three different levels of understanding expressed in any model of childbirth, whether medical or social: (1) the practical; (2) the ideological and (3) the analytical level. Social scientists are advised to reflect on the question: ‘At what level am I using the medical model as a theoretical concept in my work?’ This is necessary not only to avoid further confusion, but also to ensure that our sociological tools maintain their ability to analyse the social world appropriately, without becoming ‘blunt’ due to the uncritical use.

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin van Teijlingen, 2005. "A Critical Analysis of the Medical Model as used in the Study of Pregnancy and Childbirth," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 10(2), pages 63-77, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:10:y:2005:i:2:p:63-77
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.1034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sakala, Carol, 1993. "Midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth settings: How do they reduce unnecessary cesarean section births?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 1233-1250, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Benoit, Cecilia & Zadoroznyj, Maria & Hallgrimsdottir, Helga & Treloar, Adrienne & Taylor, Kara, 2010. "Medical dominance and neoliberalisation in maternal care provision: The evidence from Canada and Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 475-481, August.
    2. Edwin van Teijlingen & Sirpa Wrede & Cecilia Benoit & Jane Sandall & Raymond DeVries, 2009. "Born in the USA: Exceptionalism in Maternity Care Organisation among High-Income Countries," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 14(42), pages 52-11, January.
    3. Arnold, Rachel & van Teijlingen, Edwin & Ryan, Kath & Holloway, Immy, 2018. "Parallel worlds: An ethnography of care in an Afghan maternity hospital," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 33-40.

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