| dc.description.abstract | The focus of this dissertation is to provide a cultural and organizational analysis
of the development of medicine as viewed through the theoretical tenets of Thorstein
Veblen, one of our most brilliant social and economic theorists. I trace the historical
development, examine the current status, and project the future trends of our medical
institution. I explore how our current medical system has evolved, both culturally and
organizationally, along the same path that Veblen set forth in his social and economic
theories of instincts, status emulation, ceremonial-technological dichotomy, and business
and market capitalism. I include his thoughts on the development of institutions and the
ways in which cultural lag impedes progress.
To accomplish this, I rely heavily on theoretical discussion, interpretative analysis
of secondary data, and qualitative analysis of current medical issues. As a result, I
discover that the development of medicine as a social institution has followed a
predictable course; one that reflects a cultural and organizational dilemma created by the profit motive, which restricts the implementation of technological advances and
negatively impacts the health of our nation.
I find that the ability to view a modern day social institution, such as medicine,
through the lens of theories that were at the forefront of social and economic thought at
the beginning of the twentieth century, provides us with a unique perspective; the insight
to better understand exactly why that development occurred. With that understanding, we
are better equipped to alter future development thereby improving structures, processes,
policies, and procedures. This research focuses on exposing not only how the institution
of medicine evolved but, more importantly, what we can do to improve the delivery of
health care and the overall health of our nation’s population. | en |
