Part of "Lecture Notes" series, this book shows how education, social class, family, economics and occupational circumstances, cultural and ethnic backgrounds all shape individuals and how understanding aids effective clinical practice.

Preface. Acknowledgements. 1 The social basis of medicine. 2 Beliefs about health, ill health and the body. 3 Health and health care in the popular sector. 4 Health and health care in the professional sector. 5 Health and health care in the folk sector: complementary and alternative medicine. 6 The consultation. 7 Health inequalities. 8 Sex and gender, race and ethnicity in health and health care. 9 Mental health, illness and health care. 10 Disability and society. 11 Promoting health. 12 Chronic illness. 13 Death and dying. 14 International health. Glossary

Winner of the BMA 2010 Student Textbook of the Year Award Following the GMC’s call for greater social and behavioural science input into undergraduate medical education, this title in the Lecture Notes series provides an understanding of how education, social class, family, economics and occupational circumstances, as well as cultural and ethnic influences, shape patients and health professionals alike. A deeper appreciation and understanding of these issues can have a positive effect on clinical diagnosis and practice.Emphasising clinical relevance at all times, the book features photographs and line drawings to illustrate key points, and case studies that provide real-life illustrations of the points discussed. It also contains ‘points of view’ boxes which encourage critical thinking and challenge the reader to come up with their own explanations for the phenomena described. Lecture Notes: The Social Basis of Medicine provides information and materials useful not only for undergraduate medical students, but also for recently graduated and practising doctors who wish to have a greater understanding of, and to develop their skills in, this area.

"This book is written in an easy to understand style and contains case studies to illustrate the points made In the text. This helps make it accessible and allows the reader to dip into Individual of sections and chapters of the book for quick reference." (AfPP, June 2009) "The Social Basis of Medicine is a user-friendly, engaging introduction to a topic that even the most hardened surgeon-to-be would appreciate." (Times Higher Education, February 2010)