A Special Invitation to Join the Medical
Sociology Section
WHAT IS MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY?
Medical sociology provides an analytical framework for understanding the social contexts
of health, illness and health care. Central topics include the subjective experience of
health and illness, political, economic and environmental circumstances fostering ill
health; and societal forces constraining the medical care system and individuals'
responses to illness. This field draws on traditional sociological issues and contributes
to them through reformulations of such basic concepts as social systems and institutions,
professionalism, social movements and social change, and social interaction and
negotiation. Drawing from pluralistic perspectives, the field is concerned with basic
sociological research and its implications for public policy and practice.
Basic research topics include the health care system as a structural feature of society;
health effects of sociocultural changes; challenges to professional dominance; the social
production of biomedical science and technology; relationships between providers and
patients; race, class and gender dynamics; the impact of stress and social support; and
health and illness beliefs and behaviors.
Public policy issues encompass the corporatization of medical care; financing and health
insurance; inequities in access to care; dilemmas of medical technology; bioethical
concerns; rationing; the continuum of care; comparative health policies...and many others.
WHAT ARE THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS FIELD?
Attendance at any gathering of people involved in the field of medical sociology provides
an awareness of their multifaceted careers. Those with baccalaureate degrees and grounding
in research methods are found as assistants on health research projects, as program
evaluators, health sociologists, medical social workers, technical writers, administrative
assistants in health care agencies at federal, state, and local levels as well as
voluntary health agencies. Medical sociologists with a master's degree may be found in
similar positions but with greater opportunity for advancement. The doctoral degree
affords expanded career choices including teaching positions in a variety of academic and
professional settings and advanced placement in many governmental and private health
organizations.
ABOUT THE MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY SECTION
Membership in the Section brings you together with over 1000 colleagues with varied
concerns and approaches, but who share a common interest in health, illness and medical
care as sociological phenomena. As one of the largest sections within ASA, the Medical
Sociology Section provides you with broad and highly visible professional connections.
You receive the Section's Newsletter, which provides timely and helpful
information about funding opportunities, publications, conferences, training workshops,
news of the Section, its committees, and its members as well as brief reviews of current
topics. The Section also maintains MEDSOC, a listserver for electronic communications.
You also receive reduced rates on recent Section publications, such as A Handbook for
Teaching Medical Sociology and The Sociology of AIDS: Six Lectures and Materials
for Instructors and Students.
Working Committees provide the opportunity to connect with colleagues sharing interests in
teaching, career and employment opportunities, and public policy, and to contribute to
Section publications.
The Section organizes stimulating Symposia and Roundtable discussions at the annual
meeting of the American Sociological Association.
Annually the Section presents the Elliot Freidson Award, Leo G. Reeder Award, and Roberta
G. Simmons Dissertation Award for outstanding contributions to Medical Sociology.
The Section's activities are coordinated with and complement those of other organizations
concerned with health, such as the American Public Health Association and the Association
for Health Services Research.