Modern Medicine

This chapter discusses complementary therapies and law "re- skilling" in late modernity: using complementary therapies - a challenge to orthodox medicine?

Abstract

Part 1 Introduction: modern medicine and the lay populace - theoretical perspectives and methodological issues, Simon Williams and Michael Calnan lay evaluation of scientific medicine and medical care, Michael Calnan and Simon Williams. Part 2 Medicines and drugs: lay views of drugs and medicines - orthodox and unorthodox accounts, Nicky Britten risking tranquilliser use - cultural and lay dimensions, Jon Gabe and Michael Bury percpetions and use of anti-hypertensive drugs among cultural groups, Myfanwy Morgan. Part 3 Chronic illness and modern medicine: the critical moment - time, information and expertise in the experience of patients receiving coronary bypass surgery, Alan Radley narratives of normality - end-stage renal patient's experience of their transplant options, Uta Gerhardt a failure of modern medicine? lay perspectives on a pain-relief clinic, Gillian Bendelow. Part 4 Women and reproductive technology: pain and relief in labour - issues of control, Lynda Rajan the new reproductive technologies - the views of women undergoing treatment, Elaine Denny. Part 5 Complementary therapies and law re- skilling in late modernity: using complementary therapies - a challenge to orthodox medicine?, Ursula Sharma conclusions - modern medicine and the lay populace in late modernity, Simon J. Williams and Michael Calnan.