Originally published in 1987, this book builds bridges between medical sociology and mainstream theory. It does so by demonstrating in new and important ways how selected theories of major thinkers like Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Freud, Parsons, Goffman, Foucault, Habermas and Offe stand to inform, and in turn be informed by the often highly focused and empirical studies of health, disease and health care found in contemporary medical sociology. The topics covered include doctor-patient interaction and the formation of health policy.
Introduction Graham Scambler 1. The Value of Labour-Power and Health David Blane 2. Durkheim and Social Realism: An Approach to Health and Illness Steve Taylor with Clive Ashworth 3. Bodies of Knowledge: Foucault and the Problem of Human Anatomy David Armstrong 4. The Lost Subject of Medical Sociology Karl Figlio 5. Parsons, Role Theory and Health Interaction Uta Gerhardt 6. Goffman, Interactionism, and the Management of Stigma in Everyday Life Simon Williams 7. Habermas and the Power of Medical Expertise Graham Scambler 8. Rationalism, Bureaucracy, and the Organization of the Health Services: Max Weber’s Contribution to Understanding Modern Health Care Systems Sheila Hillier 9. Political Science and Health Policy Ray Fitzpatrick.
Biography
Graham Scambler is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at UCL, UK.
'This collection marks a substantial advance in critical analysis in its field.' C. Treweek
