Title: Why is thinking sociologically important for nursing
Abstract:
Sociology is known as, ‘Mother of all social sciences’. Sociology is the youngest of all social sciences. The history of sociology is as old as society. Systematic studies of society started long back in Greece (427–347 BC). Plato and his disciple Aristotle (384–322) laid foundation for systematic study. Sociology as a Science It emerged as a special discipline among the social sciences, considered as sciences of society. The concept was first developed by «Emile Durkheim» as it uses scientific methods, investigation, and different bodies of knowledge (Neeraja, 2005). Sociology is the science of human relationships. It studies man as a social animal. It deals with human groups, and tracks the evolution of customs and behavioural patterns that are handed down from generation to generation through personal contacts. The primary goal of sociology in nursing is promotion of health and prevention of illness and injury (Clement, 2015). From all the definitions of sociology, we can list out the following views:
- The sociology is science of society
- It studies the social relationships
- It is the study of social life
- It is the study of human behavior in group situation
- It deals with social actions
- It studies social systems (Neeraja, 2005).
Sociology emphasizes the unequal distribution of power and its impact on social life, exploring the dynamic and evolving nature of society across cultures and environments. The sociological imagination requires looking beyond personal perspectives, considering how broader social forces influence individual beliefs. Social structures can constrain behaviors, exemplified by disparities in opportunities based on factors such as social class and gender (Willis, & Elmer, 2007). Introduction to sociology courses commonly highlight three major themes as hallmarks of the discipline of sociology:
(1) The sociological perspective
(2) Social inequality
(3) Social institutions.
Let’s review sociology’s three major themes briefly and show their relevance for understanding health and illness (Barkan, 2023). Nursing's professionalization has been greatly influenced by sociology, as advanced health systems demand professionals cognizant of community and public health's significance. These professionals should be adept at collaborating within multidisciplinary teams that mirror the diversity of the societies they serveThe sociological viewpoint encourages enhanced communication, comprehensive approaches, and championing for patients. Health profession students delving into sociology often explore the social factors influencing health and illness. This encompasses social interactionism related to stigma and labeling, social constructivism regarding body awareness and mental health, and occasionally, the sociology of professions. (Taylor, Brosnan, Webb, 2022). The assertion that Sharp's multi-paradigmatic nature of sociology lacks relevance in guiding nurses is met with counterarguments. Additionally, challenging the characterization of the nursing role merely as instrumental, the contention is made that providing holistic care necessitates a more contemplative approach. Lastly, disputing the interpretation of Cooke's perspective as a narrow political view, it is argued to be untenable (Porter, 1996). The models formulated in nursing have been shaped by the insights from both social and biological sciences, aiming to elevate the standards of nursing care. In the late 1970s, Cox demonstrated how sociology could significantly contribute to helping nurses fulfill their essential objectives in patient care. Sociology's relevance in nursing spans across four key areas:
- Examining the consequences of evolving patterns of illness, dependency, and death.
- Exploring social and cultural disparities in perceptions of and responses to pain and illness.
- Conducting organizational analyses, with a particular emphasis on the crucial role of nurse-patient communication.
- Assessing the impact of sociological studies on human relations within the nursing context.
These focal points underscore the multifaceted role of sociology in nursing, providing valuable perspectives that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare dynamics and, ultimately, contribute to the enhancement of nursing practices and patient outcomes (Pinikahana, 2003). The relation between sociology and nursing covers a couple of important aspects which help nurses integrate key sociological theories to their practice. Probably the most important topics you need to understand when relating sociology to nursing is the difference between “sociology in nursing” and “sociology of nursing”. If you are already able to understand the two, you will understand that the relationship between your disciplines is targeted toward the use of sociology to nursing theory and practice. Nurses who’ve a good knowledge of “sociology in nursing” theory are frequently in a stronger position to know the requirements of their patients and just how to best accommodate individual needs from the social perspective. However, nursing managers who have a very good understanding with the “sociology of nursing” are more effective in attending factors that impact staff morale and also the efficient allocation of nursing staff (Dowling, 2006). The role of sociology in nursing continues to cast new light on many aspects of health and illness. Over the last 20 years, nursing practice has seen sociological theory become a valuable clinical tool, both in the diagnosis and prognosis of a wide range of illnesses and long-term conditions. In literature, it had recommendded adopt and embed a robust sociological approach withinof professional practice (Handsley, & Stocks, 2009). The role of sociology in nursing has been debated, particularly in the 1990s. Cooke suggested that nursing, focused on the biomedical model, marginalized sociology. Sharp had argued that nursing should prioritize practical knowledge over theoretical understanding, dismissing the value of sociology. Porter had defended sociology, emphasizing its role in understanding social determinants of health. Porter also had contested Sharp's claim of sociology being fragmented. Additionally, Mulholland had criticized the holistic BPS approach, suggesting that sociology should not only be integral to nurse education but also a distinct discipline (Matthews 2015).
Sociology has played a key role in the professionalization of nursing. Because health systems in advanced economies require health professionals who are aware of the importance of community and public health and capable of working in multiprofessional teams that reflect the diversity of the societies to which they belong (Taylor, Brosnan, Webb, 2022). Scope of sociology applies in this following areas: ? hospitals ? community health centres ? hospice care ? industries ? jails ? counselling centres ? geriatric homes ? orphanages ? palliative centres ? juvenile homes ? mental health centres ? rehabilitation centres (Clement 2015). The relationship between nursing and sociology has been extensively debated for more than two decades (Aranda, Law, 2007). Previous debates reflect a number of concerns, all of which suggest sociology is problematic for, and has an uneasy relationship with nursing (Allen, 2001).
Uses Of Sociology In Nursing:
- Sociology is a very useful science, especially for the nursing profession.
- It helps the nurses know the cultures and social lives of their patients.
- Nurses work not only within the hospitals, but also outside.
- In programmes, such as public health, industrial health, school health, and military nursing, nurses have to work in very close proximity with different sections of the society.
- Usually, it is the nurse who acts as a key person in the hospital scenario. The knowledge of sociology helps her maintain a congenial relationship between different personnel at different levels.
The study of sociology helps nurses identify the psycho-social problems of patients, which helps improve the quality of treatment. The study of sociology is important for nurses due to the following reasons:
- Sociology helps understand those forces and pressures which affect patients adversely.
- It helps the nurses understand the behaviour, conflicts, interpersonal relationships, hierarchy, groups, adaptation, and so on, of different people working in hospitals or health institutions.
- Through sociology, the nurse gets information about the socio-cultural life of the patient. This is important for the planning and implementation of the treatment (Clement, 2015).
Sociology provides theoretical and conceptual frameworks which offer student nurses the opportunity to develop the intellectual skills necessary to achieve these requirements. Meaningfully embedding sociology during curriculum design will help to ensure the future nurse is able to interrogate and challenge the social influences and inequalities which impact upon the health and well-being of the people and communities they care for (Molesworth, Lewitt, 2019). Transformations in societal norms and illness patterns have prompted shifts in nursing practices and nurse education. Sociology plays a pivotal role in broadening nurses' comprehension of patients' needs within the framework of their social environment (Lane, 1996). Understanding humans is possible by focusing on their actions. When sociology focuses on the experiences people have in their lives, we actually see the events and phenomena that form the basis of sociological knowledge. These experiences can be lived by everyone and are accessible to everyone. Sociology facilitates understanding of the diversity of social circumstances associated with health and illness for nurses. Sociological knowledge, being an important component of nursing knowledge, helps in the emergence of meanings. Sociology provides nurses with specific intellectual theoretical knowledge and practical skills for problem solving. In a study conducted by a sociologist in Turkey during the 2002-2003 academic year with nursing students, some commonly adopted views among nursing candidates:
• Nursing and sociology are centered around humans.
• In nursing, the basic focus is not the 'patient', but the human.
• A nurse should know the society she lives in as much as the health field.
• Every event affecting society directly/indirectly affects human health.
• Differences in social environments affect health/disease situations.
• Every society's perspective on health/disease is different, and sociology reveals the dimensions and reasons for these differences.
• Sociology is necessary to understand humans and develop empathy, and can be used in the profession.
• In the nursing profession, sociological knowledge provides a social perspective.
Sociology helps nurses to look at professional events, people, and life from a more logical, more conscious, and more scientific perspective (Nazl?, 2002).
Sociology provides an in-depth insight into the recipients of nursing care and the contextual elements influencing nursing practices. Incorporating sociology into nursing can seamlessly become a component of a broader 'transcultural' nursing paradigm, which has garnered widespread acknowledgment on a global scale. This integration allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse backgrounds and environments shaping the experiences of those receiving nursing care (Cooke, 1993). Over the past two decades, there has been a concerted debate concerning the usefulness of teaching sociology in nursing schools and whether the subject is pertinent to the pre-registration nursing curriculum. On the one hand, it has been argued that learning sociology may increase awareness on and sensitivity to the social realities of healthcare users and therefore would enhance the effectiveness of the care provided by nurses. On the other hand, claims on an alleged inapplicability of social theory in nurses' core occupational activity – on the grounds of sociology's heterogeneous range of epistemological and methodological stances – have raised issues of its actual suitability and value (Coch et al. 2016). Findings from a focus group study revealed that students perceive the inclusion of sociology in the nursing curriculum as 'disruptive.' In response, students had employed various coping mechanisms, such as compartmentalizing and segmenting knowledge. They had recognized the privileged status gained through experiential learning bridging the gap between theory and practice (Edgley et al. 2009). While the incorporation of sociology into nursing education may have sparked debates with differing opinions on its merits and drawbacks, there's no need to rehash the fundamentals of these extensively discussed deliberations. Suffice it to state that the evolving focus of medicine, marked by heightened social interaction, both reactively and proactively, has unmistakably positioned sociology as a vital component in pre-registration nursing curricula. In light of these changes, sociology should be regarded as an indispensable element at all stages of pre-registration programs, serving both as an independent capacity and as a central focus within integrated modules. This approach ought to be seamlessly integrated into all pre-registration nursing curricula, fostering a more consistent and coherent interaction between nursing students and sociology. This integration aims to provide a perspective on how sociology and sociological theory can enrich the understanding of nursing as a social activity and the inherently social nature of health service consumers and nursing care, offering both theoretical and practical insights (McPherson, 2008).
The significance of sociology for nurses lies in its ability to:
- Facilitate nurses' comprehension of the detrimental forces and pressures affecting patients.
- Aid nurses in grasping the dynamics of behaviors, conflicts, interpersonal relationships, hierarchies, groups, and adaptations among diverse individuals in hospital settings.
- Enable nurses, through the lens of sociology, to gain insights into the sociocultural aspects of patients' lives (www.brainkart.com/article/Importance-of-sociology-in-Nursing_37809).
Sociology equips nursing students with theoretical and conceptual frameworks, fostering the development of intellectual abilities essential for meeting professional demands. Integrating sociology into curriculum design in a meaningful way enables upcoming nurses to critically examine and confront the social factors and disparities influencing the health and well-being of the individuals and communities under their care (Molesworth, & Lewitt, 2019). Cooke's article posited that nursing and sociology hold opposing perspectives, as nursing's concentration on individuals clashes with sociology's emphasis on broader social issues. But nursing researches have to accord significance to social structures without forsaking its focus on individuals. An approach conducive to broadening nursing's epistemological boundaries is critical realist ethnography, which operates under the assumption that the interaction between social structures and individual actors is a mutually influential, two-way process (Porter, & Ryan, 1996).
Sociology's relevance in nursing spans across four key areas:
- In the late 1970s, Cox demonstrated how sociology could significantly contribute to helping nurses fulfill their essential objectives in patient care.
- Examining the consequences of evolving patterns of illness, dependency, and death.
- Exploring social and cultural disparities in perceptions of and responses to pain and illness.
- Conducting organizational analyses, with a particular emphasis on the crucial role of nurse-patient communication.
- Assessing the impact of sociological studies on human relations within the nursing context (Pinikahana, 2003).
These focal points underscore the multifaceted role of sociology in nursing, providing valuable perspectives that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare dynamics and, ultimately, contribute to the enhancement of nursing practices and patient outcomes (Pinikahana, 2003).
Sociology in nursing education:
The affiliation between nursing and sociology is well-established, yet it is a partnership marked by a lack of harmony. Some within the sociological community show disregard for nursing scholarship, and revealing one's nursing identity in social scientific circles can indeed elicit skepticism. The crux of nursing's dynamic with sociology lies in the profession's drive to regulate and advance its knowledge base. Historically reliant on doctors for education and training, nurses have tirelessly sought to establish distinct epistemological boundaries from the field of medicine. In the early 1990s, nursing literature witnessed a spirited discourse on the merits of incorporating sociology into nursing curricula. Despite the potential benefits they offer each other, nursing and sociology find themselves as uneasy companions (Allen 2001). In the past two decades, a heated discussion has unfolded regarding the merits of incorporating sociology into nursing school curricula and its relevance to pre-registration nursing programs. Advocates argue that learning sociology could heighten awareness and sensitivity to the social realities faced by health service users, thereby enhancing the quality of care administered by nurses. Conversely, detractors contend that the diverse epistemological and methodological positions within sociology's heterogeneous nature render social theory unsuitable for the fundamental professional tasks of nurses, sparking concerns about the genuine appropriateness and value of sociology in nursing education (Koch, & Ayala, 2016). Findings from a focus group study revealed that students perceive the inclusion of sociology in the nursing curriculum as 'disruptive (Edgley et al. 2009). Findings from a focus group study revealed that students perceive the inclusion of sociology in the nursing curriculum as 'disruptive.' In response, students had employed various coping mechanisms, such as compartmentalizing and segmenting knowledge. They had recognized the privileged status gained through experiential learning bridging the gap between theory and practice (Edgley et al., 2009). Nursing, viewed as a social construct, serves as a framework for delivering essential skills, although not exclusive to the profession, prompting a focus on the nurse-patient relationship as central to nursing practice, paralleling the influence of sociology on its development. Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Model of Nursing, first published in the USA in 1952, suggests a mutual nurse–patient relationship where both parties strive to become comfortable with each other and work together to understand their reciprocal reactions (Dowling 2006).
Suggestions:
- Every nurse should possess an awareness of how behavior, culture, socioeconomic status, and various contextual factors within the care setting can influence health, illness, health outcomes, and public health priorities.
- This understanding should be integrated into the planning and delivery of care.
- All nurses should also understand how behavior, culture, socioeconomic, and other factors in the care setting and location can impact health, illness, health outcomes, and public health priorities, and take this into account when planning and delivering care. (https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/media/MyCumbria/Documents/StandardsForPreRegistrationNursing
Education.pdf)
