The Sociology of Health and Illness Reader

by Nettleton, Sarah; Gustafsson, Ulla

• ISBN13: 9780745622910
• ISBN10: 0745622917
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-11
• Publisher: Polity

Summary

The Sociology of Health and Illness Reader brings together some of the best examples of recent sociological studies on health, illness and health care. The volume emphasizes the empirical nature of medical sociology and its relationship with the development of sociological theory. It thus presents an array of substantive topics viewed from a range of contemporary theoretical positions. Reflecting the key areas of medical sociology, the chapters are organized into five sections: 'Bodies', 'Health and Risk', 'Experiencing Illness', 'Social Patterning of Health and Illness' and 'Health Care Work'. Each area is introduced by the editors, who provide an overview of the topic and highlight key developments. Although the chapters cover a wide range of topics, they all deal with issues pertinent to health and illness in the twenty-first century, and draw upon broader sociological debates around notions of risk, reflexivity, flexibility, uncertainty and late modernity. The book includes an extensive introduction that provides the student with an orientation to the field.

Author Biography

Sarah Nettleton is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of York. Ulla Gustafsson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Surrey, Roehampton.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Bodies

Introduction

'Reading The Body'

The Power Of The Visible: The Meaning Of Diagnostic Tests In Chronic Back Pain'

'Exchanging Spare Parts Or Becoming A New Person? People's Attitudes Toward Receiving And Donating Organs'

'Social And Ethical Aspects Of In Vitro Fertilization'

'Reproductive Genetics, Gender And The Body: 'Please Doctor, May I Have A Normal Baby?'

'A Mirage Of Genes'

'A Revenge On Modern Times.Notes On Traumatic Brain Injury'

'Contemporary Hospice Care: The Sequestration Of The Unbounded Body And Dirty Dying'

Health And Risk

Introduction

'The Rise Of Surveillance Medicine'

'Health Related Behavioural Change In Context: Young People In Transition'

'Accidents And The Risk Society: Some Problems With Prevention'

'Invisible Women? The Importance Of Gender In Lay Beliefs About Heart Problems'

'Beliefs And Accounts Of Illness: Views From Two Cantonese-Speaking Communities In England'

Experiencing Illness

Introduction

'ME And The Medical Encounter'

'Parkinson's Disease As A Problem Of Shame In Public Appearance'

'From Biographical Disruption To Biographical Reinforcement: The Case Of HIV Positive Men'

'The Meaning Of Lumps: A Case Study Of The Ambiguities Of Risk'

'Pumping Iron: Compliance With Chelation Therapy Among Young People Who Have Thalassaemia'

Social Patterning Of Health And Illness

Introduction

'Socio-Economic Change And Inequalities In Men And Women's Health In The UK'

'Ethnic Inequalities In Health: A Review Of UK Epidemiological Evidence'

'Area, Class And Health: Should We Be Focusing On Places Or People?'

'The Psycho-Social Perspective On Social Inequalities In Health'

Health Care Work

Introduction

'Medical Autonomy And The UK State 1975 - 2025'

'Humour As Resistance To Professional Dominance In Community Mental Health Teams'

'The State And Complementary Medicine: A Changing Relationship'

'Working On The Front-Line Risk Culture And Nursing In The New NH S'

Your Life In Their Hands: Trust In The Medical Encounter'

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.