Medical Sociology/History
contributor to the framing of hospital systems, as an extension of its duty to
succor the sick and indigent. Early hospitals, although lacking in strict
hygienic practices, promoted social equity as a means to care for marginalized
members of society. The poor, aged, homeless, military soldiers, crippled,
orphans, injured, and sick were warehoused and cared for by duty-bound monks
and nuns. At the time, these early hospitals were without benefit of regulations
or policies that protected patients from living in unclean conditions, being
subjected to inferior standards of care, abuse, neglect, and misappropriation
of funds.
Source: Risse, Guenter B. (1999). Mending bodies, Saving
Souls: A History of Hospitals. NY: Oxford University Press.
What do you think was the influence of the church as a model
for hospitals during the Renaissance and Reformation eras? How effective have
hospitals been as poorhouses?
What was the impact of mixing the sick and poor in terms of
hygiene, sanitation, and patient safety?
Justify your answers with appropriate research and reasoning
and comment on the postings of at least two peers.
Categories: