Medicine, health and society : a critical sociology

Sharp, bold and engaging, this book provides a contemporary account of why medical sociology matters in our modern society. Combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, and applying the pragmatic demands of policy, this timely book explores society′s response to key issues such as race, gender and identity to explain the relationship between sociology, medicine and medical sociology. Each chapter includes an authoritative introduction to pertinent areas of debate, a clear summary of key issues and themes and dedicated bibliography. Chapters include: • social theory and medical sociology • health inequalities • bodies, pain and suffering • personal, local and global. Brimming with fresh interpretations and critical insights this book will contribute to illuminating the practical realities of medical sociology. This exciting text will be of interest to students of sociology of health and illness, medical sociology, and sociology of the body. Hannah Bradby has a visiting fellowship at the Department of Primary Care and Health Sciences, King′s College London. She is monograph series editor for the journal Sociology of Health and Illness and co-edits the multi-disciplinary journal Ethnicity and Health. A Clear, Bold Book Which Provides A Contemporary Account Of Why Medicine And Health Matter In Our Modern Society. Written By An Expert In Both Sociology And Medicine, It Critically Explores Key Areas Of Debate And Policy Whilst Explaining The Practical Realities Of Medicine Today. Prologue: Sociology, Medicine And Medical Sociology Introduction Medical Sociology And Its Relationship With Sociology Theory And Application Sociology And Medicine Interdisciplinarity And Multidisciplinarity References Introducing The Sociology Of Medicine, Health And Society Social Theory And The Sociology Of Health And Medicine Introduction Parsons And Functionalism Criticism Of Parsons' Idealized Type Theories Of Conflict And Political Economy Inequalities And Social Stratification Interactionism Phenomenology Modernity And Post-modernity Social Constructionism Post-structuralism And Structuralism Criticism Of Constructionism Conclusion References Health Inequalities Introduction Theory And Inequality Inequity And Inequality Measurement Of Inequality The Pattern Of Health Inequalities Causes Of Inequalities Healthcare And Inequalities Global Inequality Conclusion Women,^ Gender And Feminism Introduction Feminism Gendered Visibility Gendered Polarity And Theorizing Difference Reconceptualizing Gender Undoing Polarities Health Inequalities Morbidity, Gender And The Effect Of Work Conclusion References Ethnicity, Racism And Difference Introduction Background -- Uk Background --^ Usa Sociology Of Race Relations Ethnicity And Health Inequalities Mental Health Conclusion References Bodies, Pain And Suffering Introduction The Sociological Body Dissecting The Body Cultural Bodies Biotechnological Bodies Embodiment Bodies And Disabilities Bodies And Narrative Mute Bodies Meta-narrative And Suffering Conclusion References The Workings Of Medicine Introduction Background Medicine's Golden Age Medical Power Medical Imperialism Proletarianization, Deprofessionalization And Corporatization Challenging Medicine: Efficacy, Efficiency, Accessibility Efficacy, Equity And Efficiency Managers,^ Managerialism And Markets Challenging Equity Has The Nhs Improved? The Doctor-patient Relationship In A Regulatory Framework The Legal Challenge Consumerism In Medicine Specialization Alternative Medical Practitioners Medical Tourism Medicalization In A Digital Era Conclusion References Conclusion Introduction The Practice Of Medicine Medical Encounters Biotechnology Ethics And Expectations Of Biotechnological Innovation The Culture Of Bioethics Global Health Medical Migration Global Suffering And Sociology Conclusion References Glossary Of Terms. Hannah Bradby. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book provides a contemporary account of why medical sociology matters in our modern society. Combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, and applying the pragmatic demands of policy, this Hannah Bradby explores societys response to key issues such as race, gender and identity to explain the relationship between sociology, medicine and medical sociology. Each chapter includes an authoritative introduction to pertinent areas of debate, a clear summary of key issues and themes and dedicated bibliography.