This module

• explores alternatives to the simple sick role through 5 critical areas: consultation, illness response, compliance, self-treatment and doctor/patient interaction
• introduces the 'clinical iceberg' and the 5 triggers to consultation
• discusses collective meanings of illness and why health is relative
• shows how and why patients may not comply with doctors' recommendations
• illustrates how people seek help from alternative sources and explains the roles of alternative medicine and lay health workers
• explores key issues and outcomes affected by the doctor/patient relationship
• concludes that clinical knowledge is not enough: doctors need to understand the social, cultural and psychological aspects of health