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.
The SAGE Handbook of Mental Health and Illness is a landmark volume, which integrates the conceptual, empirical and evidence-based threads of mental health as an area of study, research and practice. It approaches mental health from two perspectives - firstly as a positive state of well-being and personal and social functioning and secondly as psychological difference or abnormality in its social context. Unique features include: - a broad and inclusive view of the field, providing depth and breadth for the reader - a team of international, multi-disciplinary editors and contributors, and - discussion of the many of the unresolved debates in the field about constructs and causes. The Handbook will be an invaluable resource for postgraduate students, academics and researchers studying mental health in disciplines such as psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, occupational therapy, nursing and sociology.
Presenting fully integrative text covering disability from a variety of disciplines This innovative text first reviews existing theories, then sets forth a new viewpoint that incorporates elements from disability studies, sociology, human services, rehabilitation counseling, and public health. Authors Elizabeth DePoy and Stephen French Gilson explore the history of disability with a focus on both Western and non-Western cultures, examine the historical conceptions of disability and how they have affected the lives and civil rights of the disabled, and explore a wide range of both classic and new and emerging theories. The book concludes with a section on application of theory to practice and policy in the professional and public realm and the recommendation of a socially just community.
'This is an important and innovative text examining social science perspectives relating to dementia. Innes provides a comprehensive guide to the research literature, drawing on critical perspectives within Sociology and Social Gerontology. The book makes a significant contribution to re-thinking practice and policies for people with dementia' - Chris Phillipson, Professor of Applied Social Studies and Social Gerontology, Keele University 'Anthea Innes, through the lens of a social scientist, provides a much needed historical and critical evaluation of where and why the study of dementia began, how it has developed in the areas of research, practice, and policy and what we need to do with this knowledge in order to create social change that improves the lives of people with dementia and their families. I know this is a book that I will often take down from my shelf, to teach my students, develop my lectures, and plan my future research projects' - Professor Phyllis Braudy Harris, Department of Sociology & Director of the Aging Studies Program, John Carroll University 'There is a tendency in dementia studies to focus on individual psychosocial dynamics. This book reminds us how important it is to think about broader social and political forces as well. Drawing on key ideas in cognate disciplines, including social gerontology and disability studies, this book makes a significant contribution to the field of dementia studies. It will appeal to a wide range of students and academics, as well as those personally affected by the condition' - Dr Ruth Bartlett, Bradford Dementia Group, University of Bradford What is dementia? How should we organize dementia care? This comprehensive book critically examines the main approaches to understanding dementia (bio-medical, social-psychological and socio-gerontological) and the main principles and ideologies of care. The book: - Provides clarity on the gap between the utopian aspirations of care and the reality of care - Opens up a series of questions about knowledge and treatment of dementia - Argues for a transition from positions that place emphasis upon the individual or particular care services to the social, cultural and economic context Lively, informative and challenging, the book will be of interest to students of nursing, sociology of health & illness, social work and social gerontology. Anthea Innes teaches at the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling
'This is an important and innovative text examining social science perspectives relating to dementia. Innes provides a comprehensive guide to the research literature, drawing on critical perspectives within Sociology and Social Gerontology. The book makes a significant contribution to re-thinking practice and policies for people with dementia' - Chris Phillipson, Professor of Applied Social Studies and Social Gerontology, Keele University 'Anthea Innes, through the lens of a social scientist, provides a much needed historical and critical evaluation of where and why the study of dementia began, how it has developed in the areas of research, practice, and policy and what we need to do with this knowledge in order to create social change that improves the lives of people with dementia and their families. I know this is a book that I will often take down from my shelf, to teach my students, develop my lectures, and plan my future research projects' - Professor Phyllis Braudy Harris, Department of Sociology & Director of the Aging Studies Program, John Carroll University 'There is a tendency in dementia studies to focus on individual psychosocial dynamics. This book reminds us how important it is to think about broader social and political forces as well. Drawing on key ideas in cognate disciplines, including social gerontology and disability studies, this book makes a significant contribution to the field of dementia studies. It will appeal to a wide range of students and academics, as well as those personally affected by the condition' - Dr Ruth Bartlett, Bradford Dementia Group, University of Bradford What is dementia? How should we organize dementia care? This comprehensive book critically examines the main approaches to understanding dementia (bio-medical, social-psychological and socio-gerontological) and the main principles and ideologies of care. The book: - Provides clarity on the gap between the utopian aspirations of care and the reality of care - Opens up a series of questions about knowledge and treatment of dementia - Argues for a transition from positions that place emphasis upon the individual or particular care services to the social, cultural and economic context Lively, informative and challenging, the book will be of interest to students of nursing, sociology of health & illness, social work and social gerontology. Anthea Innes teaches at the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling
`A Sociology of Health charts a way forward for a medical sociology that can make a positive contribution to medical practice and health policy' - Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, East London GP and author of The Tyranny of Health `This is a very lively book that will stimulate good debate amongst students undertaking sociology of health courses in higher education' - Mathew Jones, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Policy, University of the West of England A Sociology of Health offers an authoritative and up-to-date introduction to the key issues, perspectives and debates within the field of medical sociology. The book will aid readers' understanding of how sociological approaches are crucial to understanding the impact that health and illness have on the behaviour, attitudes, beliefs, and practices, of an increasingly health-aware population. The book is topical and unique in its approach, combining commentary and analysis of classic debates in medical sociology with contemporary issues in health care policy and practice. The content is wide-ranging, including chapters on: health scares, therapy culture, new dimensions of international health, changes in health care organisation and the feminization of health. Features such as case studies, questions for debate, and further reading sections are used throughout to promote critical reflection and further debate. A Sociology of Health offers readers a fresh approach to the subject, and will be essential reading for all undergraduate students on medical sociology and sociology of health and illness courses, as well as postgraduate students in related health and social care disciplines. David Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer in the School for Health, University of Bath.
`A Sociology of Health charts a way forward for a medical sociology that can make a positive contribution to medical practice and health policy' - Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, East London GP and author of The Tyranny of Health `This is a very lively book that will stimulate good debate amongst students undertaking sociology of health courses in higher education' - Mathew Jones, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Policy, University of the West of England A Sociology of Health offers an authoritative and up-to-date introduction to the key issues, perspectives and debates within the field of medical sociology. The book will aid readers' understanding of how sociological approaches are crucial to understanding the impact that health and illness have on the behaviour, attitudes, beliefs, and practices, of an increasingly health-aware population. The book is topical and unique in its approach, combining commentary and analysis of classic debates in medical sociology with contemporary issues in health care policy and practice. The content is wide-ranging, including chapters on: health scares, therapy culture, new dimensions of international health, changes in health care organisation and the feminization of health. Features such as case studies, questions for debate, and further reading sections are used throughout to promote critical reflection and further debate. A Sociology of Health offers readers a fresh approach to the subject, and will be essential reading for all undergraduate students on medical sociology and sociology of health and illness courses, as well as postgraduate students in related health and social care disciplines. David Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer in the School for Health, University of Bath.
