Medical Sociology

The standard volume in the field--"around the world"--this best-selling introduction to medical sociology presents the most recent and relevant ideas, concepts, themes, issues, debates, and research findings at the cutting-edge of the field. It contains "first-person" accounts from patients, physicians, and other health care providers; is based on "a worldwide" review of the literature; provides "the most recent" health statistics, data, and studies available; and identifies "the most important" trends and issues. Features lists of relevant Internet sites for further exploration of key issues. Covers topics such as Epidemiology; The Social Demography of Health; Social Stress; Health Behavior; Illness Behavior; Healing Options; The Sick Role; Doctor-Patient Interaction; Physicians; The Physician in a Changing Society; Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Midwives; Hospitals; Health Care Delivery and Social Policy in the United States; Health Care in Developed Countries; Health Care in Developing Former Socialist, Socialist, and Developing Countries; For anyone involved in Public Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing.