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Overview
Sociology for Pharmacists: An Introduction is written specifically for professionals and students in pharmacy who are newcomers to the study of sociology. It introduces the key concepts of sociology and demonstrates their importance and application to pharmacy practice in the 21st century. It is unique in its role as the only text to introduce sociology specifically to pharmacists.
Rather than an exhaustive treatment, the book provides a concise introduction to major perspectives in sociology-drawing on research evidence pertaining to health, illness, and professional practice-which will inform and enhance pharmacy practice. It offers an overview of sociology for rather than sociology of pharmacy, and will both inform practitioners and stimulate informed research into the social aspects of pharmacy practice.
Key issues covered include:
- Key sociological concepts and perspectives
- Contemporary developments in pharmacy practice and pharmacy's professional status
- A review of research into the way people react to illness and look after their health
- How and why illness and disease are influenced by gender, ethnicity, and social class
- Health education and pharmacists' role in promoting health and ensuring appropriate medicine usage
- Social research methods
Pharmacists are frequently encouraged to broaden their day-to-day practice. This timely book does just that by encouraging pharmacists to become more involved with advising clients, managing medicines, and supporting the promotion of health. In addition to providing an overview of these topics, the book also reviews the relevant research, and directs readers to further information.
Editorials
Reviewer: Hector C Davila, PharmD(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy)
Description: This book describes the changing role of the pharmacist in healthcare and attempts to convey why sociology is a required element in the practice of pharmacy today and in the future.
Purpose: The purpose is to make pharmacists aware of the perspective of health and healthcare from a patient's point of view. This is an important concept because it may affect patients' acceptance of a pharmacist's methods used and the pharmacist's ability to achieve desired outcomes. The book meets the author's objective of respecting patients' views and tailoring therapy to meet their needs and wants.
Audience: The target audience, according to the authors, consists of those studying or practicing pharmacy who have no sociology background. The book is written based on the practice of pharmacy in the United Kingdom, but still has application to practice in the United States. The book addresses this audience very well. The authors, as a group, have good credentials and a respectable amount of time in practice.
Features: The book includes an introduction to and history of both sociology and contemporary pharmacy. It defines the relationship between the two fields and how sociology may help to improve the delivery of pharmaceutical care. The authors discuss patient versus healthcare professional perspectives and factors affecting patient healthcare decision making processes. Finally, they discuss methods for improving patient outcomes, cooperation, and coordination. One particular strength of the book is its discussion of the patient perspective of health and healthcare decisions. Examples help readers understand topics and illustrate concepts. One weakness is the lack of illustrations and, although not completely necessary, more vibrant illustrations would more effectively present important or more difficult to grasp concepts.
Assessment: The authors have created a valuable tool for educating those practicing pharmacy about the significance of considering the patient perspective when working towards specific healthcare outcomes. It is just about on par with other books in its field with regard to practicality, such as Social and Behavioral Aspects of Pharmaceutical Care, edited by Smith and Wertheimer (Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1996). Although the book is written for pharmacists practicing in the United Kingdom, the concepts are applicable to pharmacy practice in the United States. The book is a second edition, which is appropriate considering the need for an update of examples relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice. Overall, the book covers its subject very well and at an appropriate level of detail.
3 Stars from Doody