Answer:
Medicine can serve as an agent of social control through the following ways:
By expanding its domain of expertise: Medicine can exert social control by seeking to expand its authority and jurisdiction over various aspects of healthcare. This can involve claiming expertise and control over practices that were traditionally outside the realm of conventional medicine, such as chiropractics and midwifery.
By retaining absolute jurisdiction: Medicine can exercise social control by maintaining exclusive authority and control over many healthcare procedures. This can involve asserting that certain medical interventions or treatments can only be performed by licensed medical professionals and restricting the practice of alternative or complementary therapies.
By placing all healthcare professionals within the realm of acceptable medicine: Medicine can act as a means of social control by defining the boundaries of acceptable healthcare practices and determining who is considered a legitimate healthcare professional. This can involve establishing professional standards, licensing requirements, and regulations that govern the practice of medicine and influence the scope of practice for other healthcare professions.
It's important to note that the role of medicine as an agent of social control can have both positive and negative implications. While it can contribute to ensuring standards of safety, efficacy, and quality in healthcare, it can also restrict patient choice, limit access to alternative healthcare options, and reinforce power differentials within the healthcare system.
Step-by-step explanation: