Theories of health and disability: postmodernist

Postmodernist Perspective on Health and Disability

Postmodernist perspectives challenge the conventional or ‘grand’ theories of health and illness, suggesting that these lack flexibility and are outdated in our postmodern society.
Postmodernists emphasise the increased individualisation in health matters. With access to a multitude of information sources via the Internet, people are increasingly playing an active role in making decisions about their health.
‘Expert patient’ is a concept favoured by postmodernists. It refers to the individual who, using readily available information, actively manages and makes decisions regarding their own condition outside of the traditional doctor-patient relationship.
This perspective understands medicine as a form of knowledge rather than an ‘ultimate truth’. This knowledge is subject to contestation and the balance of power between patient and doctor can be sites of resistance and negotiation.
Postmodernists also highlight the diversity of health beliefs and practices, with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) being a good example. These CAMs represent a rejection of ‘one-size-fits-all’ biomedical model and medical authority.
Regarding disability, a postmodernist approach recognises multiple narratives of disability, each having their own validity. It sees disability not as a fixed ‘truth’ but a concept that has different meanings in diverse social and cultural contexts.
Critics of the postmodernist perspective argue that it can overemphasise the role of individual choice and can overlook the structural factors (e.g. socioeconomic status, inequality) that significantly contribute to health outcomes.
Moreover, the argument that all perspectives hold equal truth can lead to relativism, where there is a danger of not distinguishing between helpful and harmful practices.

Remember, postmodernist perspectives on health and disability draw attention to the fluid and contested nature of these concepts and the active role played by individuals in managing their health.