Introduction: the Sociology of Medical Science and Technology

Elston, Mary Ann

doi:10.1111/1467-9566.00084

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…The assumption that the application of laboratory-based biomedical science and chemical technologies is a key route for improving health, whether this is via treatment or preventive interventions [17]. The technique shifts to reasoning; the diagnosis moves from the patient's head to the computer screen (and interprets it the machine) [18].…”

Section: The Fountain Of Eternal Youthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metaphors to Think about Technological Tools and Patients Care in Family Medicine

Turabián¹

2017

RMES

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Section: The Fountain Of Eternal Youthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metaphors to Think about Technological Tools and Patients Care in Family Medicine

Turabián¹

2017

RMES

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“…In the context of TR, new practices, actors, and inter-organisational relations appeared, calling into question a foundational topic, traditionally addressed by sociologists interested in health and illness, concerning the modalities of organising and demarcating the institutional and cultural boundaries of scientific medicine as an agency of social reproduction and control (Atkinson, 1981;Bergeron & Castel, 2011;Freidson, 1970a;Turner, 1987). This issue has been variously addressed by means of exploring both the role of technology in reconfiguring and legitimising medical cultures and professional roles (see Freidson, 1970b;Conrad, 1979;Conrad & Gabe, 1999;Barley, 1986;Casper & Berg, 1995;Elston, 1997;Wailoo, 2004) and the elaboration of privileged epistemic regimens concerning medical discourses and practices (see Armstrong, 1983;Atkinson, 1995;King, 1987).…”

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confidence: 99%

Rethinking biomedicine in the age of translational research: Organisational, professional, and epistemic encounters

Crabu

2018

Sociology Compass

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In the most recent decade, translational research (TR) has played a pivotal role in the production and circulation of medical knowledge and technologies, thus redefining biomedicine's moral force, its cultural authority, and its status in society. As a major component of contemporary life sciences, TR—or more commonly, translational biomedicine—aims to transfer more quickly and effectively the findings of basic science into therapeutic interventions for patients by means of innovative organisational arrangements, research methodologies, protocols, and professional roles. This article brings together sociological research examining translational biomedicine from different perspectives to accomplish two goals. First, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the social science debate concerning the growing adoption of a TR framework in biomedicine, with a special focus on the organisational, professional, and epistemological issues. Second, the article has an operational purpose to raise questions about the main methodological repercussions for social scientists facing the investigation of TR as a complex and multi‐sited phenomenon that challenges traditional qualitative/quantitative research approaches.

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“…During the past 50 years, social scientists interested in medical technology have focused mainly on ground breaking and exciting technologies, such as assisted reproductive technologies (e.g., Franklin, 1995), cardiac devices (e.g., Fox & Swazey, 1978), or genetics (e.g., Easter, 2012), rather than the “seemingly mundane,” such as medical records or home care technologies (Timmermans & Berg, 2003, p. 108). Elston (1997) suggested that researchers have also focused mainly on the social implications of technology, and how new technologies affect the experience of illness, rather than how a technology has been developed or introduced into practice. Relatively little attention has been given to the role played by technologies that people with disabilities use in everyday life (Lupton & Seymour, 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

Drawing on Accounts of Long-Term Urinary Catheter Use

et al. 2015

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The design of the Foley catheter has not changed since 1937. Scientists interested in medical technology tend to focus on state-of-the-art designs for newsworthy specialties rather than the more mundane technologies of daily life. We interviewed 36 people living with a long-term urinary catheter in the United Kingdom, who described limitations of the current catheter design, including infections and complications and consequences for social life and relationships, and their perceptions of whose responsibility it was to improve the design. All took steps to hide the urine bag, but the need to use a catheter and urine bag had, for some, a very detrimental effect on social life and relationships. People living with long-term catheters are relatively isolated at home and dealing with many different underlying health problems, undermining opportunities to speak with a collective patient voice. Qualitative health researchers could act as a conduit to help stimulate new designs.

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Introduction: the Sociology of Medical Science and Technology

Cited by 10 publications

References 84 publications

Metaphors to Think about Technological Tools and Patients Care in Family Medicine

Metaphors to Think about Technological Tools and Patients Care in Family Medicine

Rethinking biomedicine in the age of translational research: Organisational, professional, and epistemic encounters

Drawing on Accounts of Long-Term Urinary Catheter Use

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