David Field (2)

This book is an essential resource for the improvement of research skills among researchers in palliative care. It identifies key methods in palliative care research; provides accessible examples and discussions of practical, methodological and ethical issues; presents examples of good research practice; and, provides a wide-ranging coverage of the area. "Researching Palliative Care" has been designed as a resource for those directly involved in the delivery of palliative care who wish to pursue research but who have little or no formal training for, or experience of, conducting research. It is also intended as a resource for students on the increasing number of specialist palliative care courses, post-qualification short courses and taught Masters courses for health professionals which have 'health research skills' as important or central elements within their programmes. Although, there are many general texts on research methods, there are very few which specifically address research issues in palliative care. This book seeks to fill that gap in the literature. It covers the range of research methods that can be appropriately used for research in palliative care by bringing together a selection from the best articles in the field.… (mehr)

This is an advanced-level book on sociology of health and illness, consisting of 12 chapters by 18 contributors from Great Britain. It is intended to serve as general ""post-introductory"" level source for use in teaching sociology of health and illness, where there are few readily available advance-level textbooks. The expected audience includes students and practitioners who already possess a working knowledge of sociology, and instructors. The book provides up-to-date, in-depth examinations of key issues and topics in the study of health and illness in contemporary Britain from a wide variety of sociological approaches, including updated conceptualization of chronic illness, social division and gender issues in relation to health, and the social context of healthcare. The readings are not intended to be introductory or comprehensive. This clear focus allows updated, in-depth sociological analysis of important issues in contemporary industrialized societies. Many of the chapters challenge prevailing assumptions in the study of health and illness, and thus are suitable for facilitating class discussions and critical thinking. Conceptual and substantive issues discussed in the context of British society provide sociologists in other countries with opportunities to critically analyze their own societal issues. This book is of high quality, despite slight variations in the depth of analysis across chapters, and is highly recommended for use in advanced sociological courses in health, illness, and aging.

Booknews

Drawing on a range of sociological perspectives, 12 papers explore issues of health and illness in contemporary Britain. Topics discussed include: the social construction of definitions of chronic and mental illnesses; the contributions of sociology to defining HIV/AIDS issues by the study of the behavior of homosexual and bisexual men; the role of social class, gender, and age in the distribution of inequality in health care opportunities; and the ways in which societal and institutional structural changes affect access to health care.… (mehr)