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The 'limits' of medicalization?: Modern medicine and the lay populace in 'late' modernity

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  • Williams, Simon J.
  • Calnan, Michael

Abstract

Taking as its point of departure the medicalization thesis and its limitations, this paper provides a critical discussion of certain more recent theoretical perspectives on life in contemporary society, and their relevance for understanding the relationship between modern medicine and the lay populace. In particular, attention is paid to the contours and existential parameters of life in 'late' modernity in terms of the following four key themes: (i) modernity as a 'reflexive' social order; (ii) 'risk' and the dialectic of scientific and social rationality; (iii) the 'mediation' of contemporary experience; and (iv) lay 're-skilling' and the 'life political' agenda. On the basis of this, it is argued that far from being simply passive and dependent, a 'critical distance' is beginning to emerge between modern medicine and the lay populace; a situation which resonates with broader social trends and currents within society at large.

Suggested Citation

  • Williams, Simon J. & Calnan, Michael, 1996. "The 'limits' of medicalization?: Modern medicine and the lay populace in 'late' modernity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(12), pages 1609-1620, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:42:y:1996:i:12:p:1609-1620
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreassen, Hege K. & Dyb, Kari & May, Carl R. & Pope, Catherine J. & Warth, Line L., 2018. "Digitized patient–provider interaction: How does it matter? A qualitative meta-synthesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 36-44.
    2. Gabe, Jonathan & Williams, Simon J. & Coveney, Catherine M., 2017. "Prescription hypnotics in the news: A study of UK audiences," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 43-52.
    3. Andreassen, Hege K., 2011. "What does an e-mail address add? - Doing health and technology at home," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(4), pages 521-528, February.
    4. Iedema, Roderick Aren Michael & Jorm, Christine & Long, Debbi & Braithwaite, Jeffrey & Travaglia, Jo & Westbrook, Mary, 2006. "Turning the medical gaze in upon itself: Root cause analysis and the investigation of clinical error," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(7), pages 1605-1615, April.
    5. Eileen Green & Frances Griffiths & Di Thompson, 2006. "‘Are My Bones Normal Doctor?’ the Role of Technology in Understanding and Communicating Health Risks for Midlife Women," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, December.
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    7. Erol, Maral, 2011. "Melting bones: The social construction of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Turkey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(10), pages 1490-1497.
    8. Reventlow, Susanne Dalsgaard & Hvas, Lotte & Malterud, Kirsti, 2006. "Making the invisible body visible. Bone scans, osteoporosis and women's bodily experiences," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(11), pages 2720-2731, June.
    9. Barker, Kristin K., 2014. "Mindfulness meditation: Do-it-yourself medicalization of every moment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 168-176.
    10. Noerreslet, Mikkel & Larsen, Jakob B. & Traulsen, Janine M., 2005. "The medicine user--Lost in translation?: Analysis of the official political debate prior to the deregulation of the Danish medicine distribution system," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(8), pages 1733-1740, October.
    11. Doran, Evan & Robertson, Jane & Henry, David, 2005. "Moral hazard and prescription medicine use in Australia--the patient perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1437-1443, April.
    12. Poltorak, Mike & Leach, Melissa & Fairhead, James & Cassell, Jackie, 2005. "'MMR talk' and vaccination choices: An ethnographic study in Brighton," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 709-719, August.
    13. Nurmi, Johanna & Jaakola, Joni, 2023. "Losing trust: Processes of vaccine hesitancy in parents’ narratives," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    14. Doherty, Carole & Saunders, Mark N.K., 2013. "Elective surgical patients' narratives of hospitalization: The co-construction of safety," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 29-36.
    15. Rock, Melanie & Mykhalovskiy, Eric & Schlich, Thomas, 2007. "People, other animals and health knowledges: Towards a research agenda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(9), pages 1970-1976, May.
    16. Bröer, Christian & Besseling, Broos, 2017. "Sadness or depression: Making sense of low mood and the medicalization of everyday life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 28-36.
    17. Camille Adamiec, 2018. "The supply strategies of health food eaters," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 99(1), pages 77-96, June.
    18. Bruno V. L. Siqueira & Bruno E. Soares & Danilo R. Oliveira & Cássia M. Sakuragui, 2017. "The regionalization of medicalized vernacular names of medicinal plants in Brazil," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 110(2), pages 945-966, February.

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