Medical sociology in Britain: true confessions of an empiricist

A review essay on L. M. Claus's The Growth of a Sociological Discipline, 2 Vols (Leuven, Belgium: Catholic U, 1982 [see IRPS 29/85a38174]); & E. Freidson's The Sociology of Medicine: A Trend Report and Bibliography (an issue of Current Sociology, UNESCO, Blackwell, 1963; [see IRPS No. 29/85a38326]). Medical sociology in GB is seen as "searching for an identity." Criticisms that it entails a desire to influence the medical profession while lacking sufficient methodological techniques are discussed. Policy orientations & their effect in determining research areas, approaches, & methods are also probed, & it is suggested that recent changes in the structure of British medical sociology have both facilitated the growth of empirical research & impeded its cumulative development: individual projects are seen to routinely raise more questions than they answer. Medical sociology, however, is argued to have profoundly influenced the medical profession's views regarding the importance of social factors in determining illness, & to have increased recognition of medical sociology as a contributing member of the medical enterprise. R. McCarthy.