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Society and health : sociology for health professionals / Richard K. Thomas.
Holman Biotech Commons RA418 .T535 2003
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Thomas, Richard K., 1944-
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Social medicine.
- Sociology.
- Medical personnel.
- Sociology, Medical.
- Social Medicine.
- Medical Subjects:
- Sociology, Medical.
- Social Medicine.
- Sociology.
- Physical Description:
- xi, 374 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
- Other Title:
- Sociology for health professionals
- Place of Publication:
- New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, [2003]
- Summary:
- For the first time, a guide to the sociology of health and healthcare that addresses the needs of both sociologists and health professionals. Written by a career health professional with a medical sociology background, Thomas applies sociological concepts to current healthcare issues, incorporates the latest findings from health services research, and provides clear examples of the uses of sociology in understanding the U.S. healthcare system. Each chapter contains illustrative boxed material, exhibits highlighting key information, suggested readings, and useful websites for more information. With over 30 years of experience, the author provides valuable insights into the social aspects of health behavior and reveals an in-depth understanding of the social dimensions of the health delivery system. The book is a textbook for students of sociology and health, as well as a reference book for instructors and practitioners in the healthcare and sociology fields.
- Contents:
- 1. Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Illness 1
- The Field of Sociology 1
- Basic Tenets of Sociology 3
- Why a Sociology of Health and Illness? 4
- Social Roots of Healthcare 7
- The History of the Sociology of Health and Illness 7
- The Nature of the Sociology of Health and Illness 9
- 2. The Language of Healthcare 15
- Defining Health 16
- Defining Non-Health: Illness, Sickness, and Disease 21
- Defining Healthcare 25
- Physical Illness and Mental Illness 28
- 3. The Societal Context of Healthcare 35
- The Institutional Framework 35
- 4. The Cultural Dimension of Healthcare 55
- The Nature of Culture 55
- Language: The Foundation for Culture 57
- The Components of Non-Material Culture 58
- Cultural Complexity in the United States 69
- The Interface of the Social System and Culture 70
- Cultures and Subcultures 71
- 5. The U.S. Healthcare Institution 75
- The Evolution of Modern Healthcare 75
- The Paradigmatic Approach 76
- The Stages of Healthcare Development 78
- The Emergence of the U.S. Healthcare System 86
- The Organization of U.S. Healthcare 93
- 6. Social Groups in Society and Healthcare 101
- The Nature of Social Groups 101
- Group Size 103
- Types of Social Groups 103
- Changing Group Structure 107
- Social Support and Health 109
- Social Networks 110
- Group Influences on Health Behavior 112
- Formal Organizations 113
- Types of Formal Organizations 114
- The Corporatization of Healthcare 119
- 7. Occupations and Professions in Healthcare 125
- The Sociology of Occupations and Professions 125
- The Occupational Structure of Healthcare 126
- Health Professions 129
- Social Stratification within Healthcare 137
- The Sociology of the Physician 139
- Professional Socialization 142
- The Emergence of Alternative Therapists 148
- Occupation, Health Status, and Health Behavior 151
- 8. Social Epidemiology 157
- The Field of Social Epidemiology 157
- Major Topics in Social Epidemiology 161
- Morbidity 166
- Mortality 172
- 9. The Social Dimension of Health Status 179
- Social Correlates of Health Status 180
- Sociocultural Characteristics 194
- 10. The Social Dimension of Sickness Behavior 213
- Informal Sickness Behavior 214
- Formal Sickness Behavior: The Sick Role 218
- Becoming a Patient 221
- The Social Correlates of Sickness Behavior 225
- 11. Social Stratification in Society and Healthcare 247
- The Nature of Social Stratification 247
- The Dimensions of Stratification 250
- The Consequences of Stratification 250
- The Significance of Stratification for Society 251
- Stratification in Comparative Perspective 253
- The U.S. Class System 255
- Social Stratification within the Healthcare Institution 258
- Implications of Stratification for Health and Health Behavior 261
- 12. Deviance and Control in Society and Healthcare 277
- Deviance and Social Order 277
- Sociological Explanations of Deviance 280
- Sickness as Deviance 285
- Medicine as a Form of Social Control 287
- The Medicalization of American Society 292
- Transition of Control: From Church to State to Healthcare 293
- 13. The Sociology of Mental Illness 299
- A Sociological Approach to Mental Illness 299
- Defining Mental Illness 300
- Types of Mental Disorders 303
- Mental Disorders in America 305
- Social Factors in Mental Health and Illness 307
- The Treatment of Mental Disorders 314
- Critical Perspectives of Mental Illness 315
- Social Stress and Its Consequences 316
- Psychosocial Contributions to Illness 321
- 14. Social Change, Technology, and Healthcare 329
- The Nature of Social and Cultural Change 329
- The Cultural Framework for Healthcare 332
- Implications of Social Change 334
- Levels of Social Change 336
- Technology, Social Change, and Healthcare 337
- Social Movements and Healthcare 338
- Future Sociocultural Change in the U.S. 342.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN:
- 0306477467
- OCLC:
- 52165849
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