ABSTRACT

Acute illnesses For a new symptom, such as a cough, a person may typically instigate his or her own management plan. For example, they may plan to wait and see what happens, unless:

●● The symptom changes (e.g. the cough becomes productive) or

●● The symptom persists beyond a time limit (e.g. beyond the end of the week)

Most of the discourse concerning healthcare focuses on formal health systems and the role of professionals as healthcare providers. This chapter begins by widening the concept of healthcare to encompass other kinds of care, including self-help and complementary practices. This chapter also considers the social roles and characteristics of healthcare providers. For example, hospitals, as the archetypal providers of healthcare, are considered in terms of their potential to constrain the actions of individuals. We also consider how professional status was created and is maintained, and we examine some situations where con¡icts in professional roles may arise.