Sociology as Applied to Medicine


Book Description

The 4th edition of this firmly established text gives a comprehensive introduction to the sociology of health, illness and health policy. Presents the principles of medical sociology and emphasizes practical issues. The text is concise, and designed in two colors with highlight boxes for easy use.




Sociology as Applied to Health and Medicine


Book Description

A new edition of a seminal textbook that offers an up-to-date, concise and theoretically and empirically informed introduction to the core issues in the sociology of health and health care. It includes updated chapters on established themes of social aspects of health, disease and medical practice, social structures and the organisation of health services, as well as brand new chapters on contemporary topics such as globalisation, the sociology of the body and digital technologies. As proven by previous editions, this text has special salience for students of medicine and allied health programmes. Moreover, with increased attention to international perspectives and examples and an accessible writing style, it remains an ideal choice for undergraduate and postgraduate health modules on sociology courses across the world. New to this Edition: - Increased emphasis on global perspectives and international examples - All existing chapters thoroughly updated - New chapters on globalisation and health, re-conceptualising bodies and digital health and health care ensure that the book takes the latest developments in the discipline into account




Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine E-Book


Book Description

This textbook in the Illustrated Colour Text series offers an integrated treatment of sociology and psychology for medical students. It is presented in a much more colourful and graphic format than is usual for books on these two subjects. This integration reflects the tendency to teach these two subjects together as “behavioural science , with an increased stress on the place of medicine in society, and on illness as a product of psychological and social circumstances rather than merely a biological phenomenon. The book reflects these trends and has been successful and popular with students. An integrated treatment of psychology and sociology for medical students - in line with the trend towards teaching these subjects as “behavioural sciences“. Use of case studies and Stop/Think boxes encourages critical thinking and discussion. Graphic Illustrated Colour Text presentation style enlivens a subject which most medical students are not keen on. This third edition contains a new introduction on the importance and key features of the biopsychosocial model and additional double-page spreads on International Health and Rural Health.




The Word As Scalpel


Book Description

"A doctor can damage a patient as much with a misplaced word as with a slip of the scalpel." In this statement, from Lawrence J. Henderson, a famous physician whose name is part of the basic science of medicine, epitomizes the central theme of The Word as Scalpel. If words, the main substance of human relations, are so potent for harm, how equally powerful they can be to help if used with disciplined knowledge and understanding. Nowhere does this simple truth apply more certainly than in the behavior of a physician. Medical Sociology studies the full social context of health and disease, the interpersonal relations, social institutions, and the influence of social factors on the problems of medicine. Throughout its history, medical sociology divides naturally into two parts: the pre-modern, represented by various studies of health and social problems in Europe and the United States until the second World War, and the modern post-war period. The modern period has seen rapid growth and the achievement of the full formal panoply of professionalism. This engaging account documents the development of professional associations, official journals, and programs of financial support, both private and governmental. Written by a distinguished pioneer in medical sociology, The Word as Scalpel is a definitive study of a relatively new, but critically important field.




Medical Sociology on the Move


Book Description

This book provides readers with a single source reviewing and updating sociological theory in medical or health sociology. The book not only addresses the major theoretical approaches in the field today, it also identifies the future directions these theories are likely to take in explaining the social processes affecting health and disease. Many of the chapters are written by leading medical sociologists who feature the use of theory in their everyday work, including contributions from the original theorists of fundamental causes, health lifestyles, and medicalization. Theories focusing on both agency and structure are included to provide a comprehensive account of this important area in medical sociology.




Profession of Medicine


Book Description

"Must be judged as a landmark in medical sociology."-Norman Denzin, Journal of Health and Social Behavior"Profession of Medicine is a challenging monograph; the ideas presented are stimulating and thought provoking. . . . Given the expanding domain of what illness is and the contentions of physicians about their rights as professionals, Freidson wonders aloud whether expertise is becoming a mask for privilege and power. . . . Profession of Medicine is a landmark in the sociological analysis of the professions in modern society."-Ron Miller, Sociological Quarterly"This is the first book that I know of to go to the root of the matter by laying open to view the fundamental nature of the professional claim, and the structure of professional institutions."-Everett C. Hughes, Science




Medical Sociology in Africa


Book Description

This book presents a comprehensive discussion of classical ideas, core topics, currents and detailed theoretical underpinnings in medical sociology. It is a globally renowned source and reference for those interested in social dimensions of health and illness. The presentation is enriched with explanatory and illustrative styles. The design and illustration of details will shift the minds of the readers from mere classroom discourse to societal context (the space of health issues), to consider the implications of those ideas in a way that could guide health interventions. The elemental strengths are the sociological illustrations from African context, rooted in deep cultural interpretations necessitated because Africa bears a greater brunt of health problems. More so, the classical and current epistemological and theoretical discourse presented in this book are indicative of core themes in medical sociology in particular, but cut across a multidisciplinary realm including health social sciences (e.g., medical anthropology, health psychology, medical demography, medical geography and health economics) and health studies (medicine, public health, epidemiology, bioethics and medical humanities) in general. Therefore, apart from the book’s relevance as a teaching text of medical sociology for academics, it is also meant for students at various levels and all health professionals who require a deeper understanding of social dimensions of health and illness (with illustrations from the African context) and sociological contributions to health studies in general.







Key Concepts in Medical Sociology


Book Description

`This book is a must have for students and lecturers alike. Students because it gives them model essays on frequently set topics, lecturers because it gives them thumbnail overviews and up to date bibliographies on topics they might not cover in their courses. It is written without repetition - which is quite a feat - and provides authoritative statements on the state of the art in medical sociology' - Kevin White Reader in Sociology, Australian National University `The entries, written by a couple of dozen colleagues, are concise, intelligent, and full of both specific examples and theoretical trends in the field. Key Concepts will be a valuable companion to medical sociology texts and anthologies, and an important permanent reference work as well' - Phil Brown Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies, Brown University ‘It is intended to provide more depth than a dictionary or than is usually found in textbooks, and the authors achieve this objective admirably... it provides an excellent and readable introduction to the subject the subject for students whose course involves medical sociology, health researchers, or health professionals who want to understand more about the social context of their work’ –British Journal of Occupational Therapy Written with the needs of today's student in mind, the SAGE Key Concepts series provides accessible, authoritative and reliable coverage of the essential issues in a range of disciplines. Written in each case, by experienced and respected experts in the subject area, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages understanding without sacrificing the level of detail and critical evaluation essential to convey the complexity of the issues. Key Concepts in Medical Sociology: · provides a systematic and accessible introduction to medical sociology · begins each 1500 word entry with a definition of the concept, then examines its origins, development, strengths and weaknesses ·offers further reading guidance for independent learning · draws on international literature and examples · is essential reading for undergraduates in medical sociology as well as students taking courses with a medical sociology component.




Health, Illness, and Society


Book Description

This engaging text provides a sociological perspective on health, illness, and health care. Serving as an introduction to medical sociology for undergraduate and graduate students, it also presents a summary of the field for medical sociologists and for public health scholars and practitioners. A highlight of the text is its emphasis on the social roots of health and disease and on the impact of social inequality on health disparities and the quality of health care. The book also critically examines health care in the United States and around the world and evaluates the achievements and limitations of the Affordable Care Act and other recent health care reform efforts.