`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.

Despite health and health care having recently risen to the top of the political and policy agenda in Britain and elsewhere, little attention has been paid to health policy issues by sociologists researching health and illness. "The Sociology of the Health Service" responds directly to the need to develop a sociological analysis of current health policy. Topics covered vary from privatization and health service management to health education and the politics of professional power. Also included is an historical review of sociology's contributions to health policy and proposals for an agenda for sociological health policy research in the 1990s.

Product Description: Health and the Sociology of Emotions offers an appraisal of the current lively debates which challenge the contribution of the sociology of emotion to health, and of sociology of health and illness to a sociological understanding of emotion.

Product Description: This highly topical and controversial book presents a lively re-appraisal of the current changes to the health service and analyzes their effects on the status and practice of health professionals. Modern medicine is a powerful institution...read more

Product Description: Private Health insurance is currently at its highest level in Britain since the introduction of the National Health Service. Approximately one in seven of the population has some form of health cover. It is often claimed that the growth in private health insurance is due to the 'underfunding' of the NHS...read more

Product Description: Contributors from seven social science disciplines explain how their fields have contributed to understanding the recent phenomenon of the medically and legally sanctioned long-term use of addictive tranquillizers. The underlying theme is that such drug use is no longer contained in the doctor/patient relationship, but is a complex cultural and social process with political, economic, and moral implications...read more