Power dynamics in healthcare: a critical analysis through the lenses of Foucault, Camus and Gramsci

Abstract

Modern healthcare, despite its advancements, is shaped by complex power structures that often sideline patient voices and reinforce systemic inequalities. This article critically explores these dynamics through the theoretical insights of Michel Foucault, Albert Camus, and Antonio Gramsci. Foucault’s concept of the “medical gaze” shows how biomedical frameworks tend to privilege clinical interpretation over patient experience, sometimes leading to depersonalization and unintended harm. Camus’s philosophy of the absurd highlights the existential dimensions of illness-often overlooked in the healthcare system. Gramsci’s theory of hegemony reveals how dominant ideologies shape healthcare norms, worsening disparities and limiting alternative approaches. By weaving together these perspectives, this article proposes solutions that include interdisciplinary education, shared decision-making, psychological support, and policy reforms aimed at disrupting existing power structures. A truly patient-centered and equitable healthcare system demands critical reflection, structural change, and a deeper understanding of how medical authority, existential meaning, and social power intersect.