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Medical Sociology

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health

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Abstract

This chapter presents a discussion and critique of medical sociology. The chapter starts with a history of why the author trained in and has had a 25-year (so far) academic career in medical sociology. The chapter then moves on to defining medical sociology and exploring the key contemporary themes taught and researched in the discipline. In order to define medical sociology, the chapter provides definitions of the key terms and explores their historical and contemporary meanings. In terms of “medical,” the chapter explores both epidemiology and social epidemiology since they relate most closely to medical sociology. In terms of “sociology,” the chapter provides descriptions of both the academic discipline of sociology and the adjective “social.” In order to provide concrete examples of medical sociology, the chapter then provides a description of the author’s career in research on applying concepts from the sociology of trust to public health problems, examining trust in healthcare professions, healthcare systems, and broader social systems that impact on health and illness. Overall, this chapter provides a description, examination, critique, and articulation of medical sociology.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre on Public Health Policy, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Paul R. Ward

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  1. Paul R. Ward
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Correspondence to Paul R. Ward .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Camberwell, VIC, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Ward, P.R. (2023). Medical Sociology. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96778-9_3-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96778-9_3-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-96778-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-96778-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Social SciencesReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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