ABSTRACT
This chapter maps the emergence of the archetype of the “active patient” from the traditional “sick role” within healthcare discourses, while situating the historical and sociocultural dimensions of patienthood. It emphasizes how patient archetypes and narratives of patienthood are shaped by broader social, cultural, political, and historical factors. Additionally, the chapter discusses the early narratives of modern medicine, which viewed patients as passive subjects, in contrast to the evolving concept of the “active or engaged patient” who proactively engages in their healthcare decisions. Through an engagement with various historical, philosophical, and sociological literature, this chapter illustrates the envisioning of the “active patient” and the preconditions necessary for its realization, particularly within contexts such as the Indian law and clinical practice. The chapter concludes by suggesting that the social recognition of persons within the socio-cultural-political and historical context is a precondition for actualizing active patienthood in everyday healthcare encounters, especially in societies plagued by deep inequalities and inequities.
