The New Sociology of the Health Service

Health service policy and health policy have changed considerably over the past fifteen years and there is a pressing need for an up-to-date sociological analysis of health policy. Not only have policies themselves changed but new policy themes “ such as evidence-based policy and practice, an increasing focus on a primary care led health service, a growing recognition of the need to address inequalities through public health policies and a focus on the views and the voice of the user and the public “ have emerged alongside some of the old. Following up the very successful The Sociology of the Health Service, this all-new volume covers a broad range of key contemporary health services issues. It includes chapters on consumerism, technology, evidence-based practice, public health, managerialism and social care among others, and incorporates references to new developments, such as regulation and incentivization, throughout. The New Sociology of the Health Serviceprovides a vital new sociological framework for analyzing health policy and healthcare. It is an important read for all students and researchers of medical sociology and health policy.

Jonathan Gabe is Professor of Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Michael Calnan is Professor of Medical Sociology at the University of Kent, UK.

1. Remaking a Trustworthy Medical Profession in Twenty-first Century Britain?, Mary Ann Elston 2. Changing Forms of Managerialism in the NHS: Hierarchies, Markets and Networks, Sue Dopson 3. The Restratification of Primary Care in England? A Sociological Analysis, Michael Calnan and Jonathan Gabe 4. Visions of Privatization: New Labour and the Reconstruction of the NHS, John Mohan 5. The Pharmaceutical Industry, the State and the NHS, John Abraham 6. Evidenced-based Practice in UK Health Policy, Stephen Harrison and Kath Checkland 7. Innovation and Implementation in Health Technology: Normalizing Telemedicine, Carl May 8. Health Care, Consumerism and the Politics of Identity, Timothy Milewa 9. Mainstream Marginality: 'Non-orthodox' Medicine in an 'Orthodox' Health Service, Sarah Cant 10. Social Care: Relationships, Markets and Ethics, Caroline Glendenning 11. Equalizing the People's Health: a Sociological Perspective, Jennie Popay and Gareth Williams