""This is an easy-to-read introductory text exploring the social aspects of health, illness and healthcare. Key concepts are introduced carefully and there is a helpful glossary of key terms. Activities and discussion points enable students to pace their learning and illustrative case studies bring the text to life. In short, this is a gentle yet comprehensive introduction which will no doubt become popular with lecturers and students alike."
Dr Sarah Earle, Associate Dean Research, The Open University, UK "Larkin's book provides an excellent and accessible read for students studying health related disciplines... a useful resource for those new to the subject area of social aspects of health, health care and illness and a good refresher for those that may not have studied the subject for some time or those returning to study. The reader will be left feeling informed around the key issues and theories."
Sabina Sattar, Senior Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire, UK
"I wish to congratulate Mary Larkin for creating such a useful resource. The structure of this book and the writing style employed makes light work of complex subjects. The overview at the beginning of each chapter is useful to signpost the student to the topics covered. Because the book is well explained throughout it would be a useful core text for level 4 5 & 6 modules in pre-and post registration nursing in the UK. Each chapter of this book directs the students reading and the interactive design fosters independent learning. This is a well written comprehensive text and is a 'must' for students in the pursuit of understanding the social aspects of health."
Peggy Murphy, Senior Lecturer (Nursing), Glyndwr University, UK
"Mary Larkin's textbook offers the nursing student a lively insight into many applied aspects of the social aspects of health and illness. It uses a variety of theoretical perspectives, and all concepts are clearly extrapolated. A variety of devices are then utilised to facilitate knowledge and understanding. This is an excellent resource, which I would highly recommend."
Siobhan McCullough, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, UK
"Mary Larkin has written a comprehensive survey of contemporary health issues well suited to the needs of students of social aspects of health. Written in an accessible and lively style, the book covers an impressive range of theoretical approaches and substantive material, complemented by summaries, discussion questions and learning activities, to prompt students to reflect on their reading and to engage with the text."
Hannah Bradby, University of Warwick, UK
"I find this to be one of the most intuitive texts I have read to date as a student. Mary Larkin has an obvious passion for and belief in what she has written, making this all the more enjoyable and interesting to read."
Roisin Kiernan, Student nurse, Queen's University Belfast, UK
"A valuable book owing to its excellent contents, its effective layout and clear method of delivering information. It is well worth the price."
British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, May 2011
"I found this book to be very well thought out and well written... It gave me more insight into the academics of nursing. It's a book that would have been very beneficial to me when I first embarked on my nursing course in understanding key concepts..."
Antoinette Honegan, Student Nurse, Kingston University, UK"
This core textbook is the ideal companion text for students studying the social aspects of health and illness, whether it is as part of a health studies degree, nursing or other professional qualification related to health, social care, youth and community work and social work. Written at an introductory level this book is suitable for students new to this subject and looking for a broad and accessible text for use throughout their studies.
The book provides a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of a wide range of topics within the subject area of the social aspects of health, illness and healthcare. In so doing, it explores and explains the different relationships between social categories and health, different experiences of illness and the role of the healthcare provider in society. It includes self-contained chapters on: Gender Social class Ethnicity Ageing Physical ill health Mental health and illness Disability Death and dying Families, communities and healthcare Healthcare organisations and professions In addition to drawing together many different sources within this subject area, this engaging book is full of case studies, primary sources and activities for study, all of which will help you get to grips with the core concepts and themes in the study of health, illness and healthcare.
About the Author: Mary Larkin is a Principal Lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, UK. She is also Programme Leader for the BA Health Studies and BSc Public and Community Health and has extensive experience of teaching and researching issues related to the social aspects of health, illness and health care.
