Medicine, Risk, Discourse and Power [Hardcover]

This book critically explores from a comparative international perspective the role medicine plays in constructing and managing natural and social risks, including those belonging to modern medical technology and expertise. Drawing together chapters written by professional practitioners and social scientists from the UK, South America, Australia and Europe, the book offers readers an insightful and thought-provoking analysis of how modern medicine has transformed our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us, but in so doing has arguably failed to fully recognize and account for, its unintended and negative effects. This is an essential read for social scientists, practitioners and policymakers who want to better understand how they can develop new ways of thinking about how modern medicine can promote social goods and enhance public health.

1. An Introduction to Medicine, Risk, Discourse and Power  John Martyn Chamberlain  2. Sociology and Risk: A Link in Permanent (Re)Construction  Fiorella Mancini  3. Time, Risk and Health  Andy Alaszewski and Patrick Brown  4. Using Medicines in the Face of Uncertainty: Developing a Habermasian Understanding of Medicines Lifeworlds  Patrick Brown  5. Performing Risk and Power: Predictive Technologies in Personalized Medicine  Nadav Even Chorev  6. Balancing Risk and Recovery in Mental Health: An Analysis of the Way in Which Policy Objectives Around Risk and Recovery Affect Professional Practice in England  Jeremy Dixon  7. Moving from Gut Feeling to Evidence: The Case of Social Work  Gemma Mitchell  8. Regulating for Safer Doctors in the Risk Society  John Martyn Chamberlain  9. Health Experts Challenge the Safl#-