This introduction to medical sociology is for medical students and health professionals in the United Kingdom and Europe.A concise and jargon-free introduction to medical sociology - accessible and readable for medical students with little time to devote to this subject.Practical emphasis on essential social issues: the doctor-patient relationship, social class, ethnic minority groups and organization of health services.Attractive two-colour page design with boxed summaries.New section on theory and methods of social research, pointing out the important differences between social research and the more biologically orientated research familiar to medical readers.Extensive revision of those chapters covering health policy, eg NHS chapter, health promotion, community care, organisation of health care.