208 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    Sociology for Pharmacists: An Introduction is written specifically for professionals and students in pharmacy who are newcomers to the study of sociology. It introduces the key concepts of sociology and demonstrates their importance and application to pharmacy practice in the 21st century. It is unique in its role as the only text to introduce sociology specifically to pharmacists.

    Rather than an exhaustive treatment, the book provides a concise introduction to major perspectives in sociology-drawing on research evidence pertaining to health, illness, and professional practice-which will inform and enhance pharmacy practice. It offers an overview of sociology for rather than sociology of pharmacy, and will both inform practitioners and stimulate informed research into the social aspects of pharmacy practice.

    Key issues covered include:

  • Key sociological concepts and perspectives
  • Contemporary developments in pharmacy practice and pharmacy's professional status
  • A review of research into the way people react to illness and look after their health
  • How and why illness and disease are influenced by gender, ethnicity, and social class
  • Health education and pharmacists' role in promoting health and ensuring appropriate medicine usage
  • Social research methods

    Pharmacists are frequently encouraged to broaden their day-to-day practice. This timely book does just that by encouraging pharmacists to become more involved with advising clients, managing medicines, and supporting the promotion of health. In addition to providing an overview of these topics, the book also reviews the relevant research, and directs readers to further information.
  • SOCIOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION
    What is Sociology?
    Sociological Perspectives and their Application to Pharmacy
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE OF PHARMACY
    Introduction
    The Pharmacy Workshop
    Hospital Pharmacy
    Community Pharmacy
    Dispensing of Prescribed Medication
    The Rationalization and De-Skilling of Pharmacy
    Pharmacists' Activities not Directly Related to Dispensing
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    HEALTH AND ILLNESS - UNDERSTANDING THE PUBLIC'S PERSPECTIVE
    Introduction
    Illness as a Social Concept
    The Experience of Chronic Illness
    Lay Knowledge and Beleifs about Illness and Health
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    SEEKING HELP AND CONSULTING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
    Introduction
    Consultation as a Social Process
    Lay Referral Systems
    Lay Health Care Workers
    The Sick Role
    Relationships between Patients and Health Care Professionals
    Consulting a General Practitioner
    Consulting a Pharmacist
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    SOCIAL FACTORS AND HEALTH
    Introduction
    Measuring Health
    Perspectives on Health and Disease
    The McKeown Thesis
    Latrogenesis and Medicine
    The Commodification of Medicine and Health
    The Limits of Technology
    Effectiveness and Efficiency of Treatment
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    SOCIAL INEQUALITIES AND HEALTH
    Introduction
    Gender and Health
    Ethnicity and Health
    Social Class and Health
    Psycho-Social Circumstances and Health
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    THE OCCUPATIONAL STATUS OF PHARMACY
    Introduction
    Sociological Approaches to Professionalization
    Sociological Perspectives on Pharmacy
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    MAINTAINING AND PROMOTING HEALTH
    Introduction
    Health Policy and Health Promotion
    Preventing Ill-Health
    Health Education
    Health Promotion
    Pharmacy and Health Promotion
    From Compliance to Concordance
    Pharmacy-Based Health Promotion
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    Social Research Methods
    Introduction
    The Experimental Method
    Methods of Social Analysis
    Sampling Strategies
    Quantitative Research Methods
    Qualitative Research Methods
    Making Sense of Research Evidence
    Summary
    Further Reading
    References

    Biography

    Kevin M. G. Taylor, Sarah Nettleton, Geoffrey Harding

    "…it throws a much needed light on its core topic of sociology, explaining the relevance of sociological studies to the practice of pharmacy…done in a readable and readily assimilable form"
    - The Pharmaceutical Journal