Abstract

Health research, education and provision have become increasingly interdisciplinary over the last few years, leading health professionals to broaden their knowledge beyond technical aspects of care. Practitioners now need a clear understanding of how society can affect health, and an appreciation of how societal structures can drive healthcare practices.
 
In a clear, systematic and accessible style, this timely text looks at the social context of health and healthcare by:

• analysing a wide range of classic and contemporary theories;
• identifying the relevance of each theory to health;
• showing how theory has been used in research
• outlining the impact of theory on health and health provision

Specifically written for health professionals and those engaged in health studies research, this book will help students and practitioners alike understand the sociology of health and illness, and enable them to critically assess health issues, policies and practices.
 
Social Theory, Health and Healthcare provides a systematic guide to both classical and contemporary social theories, identifying the relevance and research implications of each theory. Students are shown the social factors that contribute to health, enabling them to assess health issues and make decisions on treatment.
ORLA MCDONNELL is Lecturer in Sociology at the Department of Sociology, University of Limerick, Republic of Ireland.
MARIA LOHAN is Lecturer in Health Sciences at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
ABBEY HYDE is Senior Lecturer in Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
SAM PORTER is Professor of Nursing Research at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
 

This is an excellent book which is clearly written, well thought out and makes good use of relevant material to illustrate its central concerns. Each chapter allows the reader to move from basic ideas to a more sophisticated understanding of key aspects of social theory…The book as a whole is very useful for students wanting to get to grips with how various aspects of medical sociology connect to wider themes in sociology and the social sciences.' - Dr Paul Higgs, Professor of the Sociology of Ageing, UCL