Understanding the Sociology of Health and Illness: A Guide for Medical Students

By Costas S. Constantinou, this book has garnered praise for its unique approach in integrating behavioral, social, biomedical, and clinical sciences. It serves as a pioneering example of bridging core sociology with medical education, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sociology of health and illness.

A Real, Combined Approach

Dikomitis L, Wenning B, Ghobrial A, and Adams K.M. (2022) have noted that a real, combined approach of behavioral, social, biomedical, and clinical sciences is paramount. This book is one pioneering example of such integration, bridging core sociology with medical education.

Embedding Behavioral and Social Sciences

Dikomitis et al. (2022) have also highlighted the importance of embedding behavioral and social sciences across the medical curriculum. This book contributes to this endeavor by providing insights from medical schools in the United Kingdom.

A New Generation of Students

Andrea Stockl, in her Foreword to the First Edition, noted that this book not only contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical sociology and medical education, but also contributes to the way we teach a new generation of students how to understand patients in context, how to treat them with respect, and, ultimately, how to be a better medical doctor.

Comments from Medical Students

Medical students have praised the book for its valuable insights and practical approach. Some of the comments include:

Ignorance is not just lack of knowledge but lack of implementing knowledge gained. I encourage everybody going into a clinical and general work setting to read this book and implement.

I believe this book is the key to unlocking the minds of medical students in viewing illness as not only physical and emotional also as social experience.

I believe everyone should read this book, especially medical students and practitioners who wish to become all-round competent and understanding doctors.

The better you understand your patients’ illness and his/her suffering, the healthier you can make him/her – this book teaches this important skill.

A Fully Revised Second Edition

This fully revised second edition has been inspired, informed, and reviewed by medical students. By creatively employing a problem-based learning approach, the book examines commonly covered topics integrating underlying principles and research findings through real-life stories.

A New Direction

The book investigates the relevance of sociology and considers a new direction – one that places sociology in the context of healthcare settings, making the topic more realistic, useful, and memorable.

Valuable for Various Professions

This book will be an invaluable companion for medical students throughout undergraduate studies and is also a useful reference for students in nursing, social work, psychology, and sociology, as well as qualified doctors and healthcare practitioners.