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Handbook of Clinical Sociology pp 181–195Cite as

The Clinical Sociologist in Medical Settings

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Abstract

As medicine has come to recognize the importance of psychological and sociological variables in the role of health and disease, the demand for clinical sociologists in medical settings has increased. In this chapter, the history of medical sociology will be reviewed, the special roles of clinical sociologists in medical settings will be discussed, and the usefulness of sociological theory in delivering health care services will be noted. Fertile areas of development for clinical sociologists, including medical ethics, chronic disease, and the establishment of personal and social Wellness, will be outlined. In order for clinical sociologists to deliver services, they must gain professional acceptance, so some discussion of credibility for clinical sociologists in medical settings is included. This chapter should provide the reader with an understanding of the special needs of patients and providers in the health care professions. More important, it will demonstrate how the unique skills of clinical sociologists can be used in medical settings and show that clinicians working within a medical framework may find the opportunities to help bring about monumental social change.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, USA

    Yvonne M. Vissing

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA

    Yvonne M. Vissing

  3. Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA

    David J. Kallen

Authors
  1. Yvonne M. Vissing
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  2. David J. Kallen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland, USA

    Howard M. Rebach

  2. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    John G. Bruhn

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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Vissing, Y.M., Kallen, D.J. (1991). The Clinical Sociologist in Medical Settings. In: Rebach, H.M., Bruhn, J.G. (eds) Handbook of Clinical Sociology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3782-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3782-3_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-43579-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3782-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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