This book draws on research within neo-Weberian and neo-institutionalist perspectives to critically analyse National Health Services (NHSs) in Western Europe. Exploring the challenges posed by neo-liberal policies, it also looks at the impact of the role of the state, the medical profession, the public and the medical–industrial complex in their development. Bringing together a top-line range of expert international contributors, this book includes national studies from three European macro-regions: Britain, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. In the first part, the NHSs of each country considered are examined historically and in a contemporary context in face of emerging challenges – from cost containment to governance. The second part looks across the macro-regions at the influence of the main actors involved in their evolution and sustainability. Comparing and contrasting the NHSs of Western Europe, the book ends with a discussion of future directions. This book makes a vital contribution at a time when health services globally have been under great pressure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is written for academics and advanced students of healthcare, management, public policy, social policy and sociology – in addition to health professionals and policymakers.

The most comprehensive book on the topic of Responsible Leadership Includes contributions form some of the leading thought-leaders of today Highly accessible, the book is written to reach out to the general reader as well as those with a background in leadership

The most comprehensive book on the topic of Responsible Leadership Includes contributions form some of the leading thought-leaders of today Highly accessible, the book is written to reach out to the general reader as well as those with a background in leadership

Professions and professionalism have played an integral part in business and society. In this book, Mike Saks provides a thorough overview of this field through an analysis of a range of professions, including, amongst others, accountants, doctors and lawyers. The book offers a critical analysis of such privileged occupational groups in modern societies. Anticipating a positive if changing role for such groups in the years ahead, the book outlines conflicting theoretical perspectives on professions and discusses current developments in an accessible, multi-disciplinary style. The book documents their evolution and contemporary transformation from medieval guilds to fully-fledged professions and international professional service firms, while pointing a path towards their future in the world of work and beyond. With insights into the recent challenges provided by clients, citizens, the state and corporations in neo-liberal societies, Professions provides a concise overview that will be essential reading for students, academics and others interested in the operation of these key occupational groups in business and society.

Professions and professionalism have played an integral part in business and society. In this book, Mike Saks provides a thorough overview of this field through an analysis of a range of professions, including, amongst others, accountants, doctors and lawyers. The book offers a critical analysis of such privileged occupational groups in modern societies. Anticipating a positive if changing role for such groups in the years ahead, the book outlines conflicting theoretical perspectives on professions and discusses current developments in an accessible, multi-disciplinary style. The book documents their evolution and contemporary transformation from medieval guilds to fully-fledged professions and international professional service firms, while pointing a path towards their future in the world of work and beyond. With insights into the recent challenges provided by clients, citizens, the state and corporations in neo-liberal societies, Professions provides a concise overview that will be essential reading for students, academics and others interested in the operation of these key occupational groups in business and society.

Professions and Metaphors: Understanding Professions in Society explores the way that two traditions have contributed to our understanding of both theory and society over recent decades. In the first tradition, the growing literature on metaphors has helped to guide thinking, providing insights into such phenomena as the study of organizations. In the second, there has been an increased interest in professions, from lawyers and university academics to doctors and social workers. This edited collection brings together these two traditions for the first time, providing a unique and systematic overview, at macro and micro level, of the use of metaphors in the sociology of professions. A range of professional fields are explored, from law and medicine to social work and teaching, showing how metaphors can enhance our understanding of the operation of professional groups. By demonstrating how metaphors can add to our understanding of professions in society, as well as in professional practice, this ground-breaking book makes an invaluable contribution to advanced students and researchers in fields such as the sociology of professions and work and organization - as well as informing professionals and policy makers themselves.

This unique book enhances our understanding of the links between professions, the state and the market - and their implications for the public in terms of professional practice. In so doing, the book adopts a neo-Weberian perspective, in which professions are seen as a form of exclusionary social closure based on legal boundaries established by the state. To illustrate the overarching theme, the book considers how healthcare in general, and medicine in particular as a form of professional work, is organized in public and private arenas in three societies with different socio-political philosophies - namely, Britain, the United States and Russia. As such, it examines the varying extent to which the development of independent professional organizations has been enhanced or restricted in public, as compared to more privatized social contexts. The comparative perspective adopted in this book thereby provides insight into the organization of professional work in different contexts and the all-important effects of this on delivery to the public. This book will be of particular interest to scholars, researchers and students of Management, Public Policy and Health Care.

Professions are increasingly linked with enterprise at a number of interrelated levels. By considering the relationship of professions to the enterprise contexts in which they work, this book reveals the dilemmas posed to professional groups, and the opportunities and constraints that can arise in their organisational frameworks. Addressing both private and public sectors, this collection explores questions including: what are the implications for the culture, practices and identities of professions of working in enterprise contexts, including with increased globalisation? Are professions becoming more entrepreneurial in a knowledge economy? What are the tensions between professionalism and enterprise and how are these resolved? These are themes that are extremely important to professionals and their managers, especially with the rise of large-scale professional service firms serving corporate clients with truly global reach. This cutting-edge collection will be of interest to researchers, educators and advanced students studying professional behaviour in fields such as business studies, management, organisational analysis, public administration, political science, social policy and sociology, as well as students on focused programmes of professional study in fields such as health, law and social care.

This unique book enhances our understanding of the links between professions, the state and the market - and their implications for the public in terms of professional practice. In so doing, the book adopts a neo-Weberian perspective, in which professions are seen as a form of exclusionary social closure based on legal boundaries established by the state. To illustrate the overarching theme, the book considers how healthcare in general, and medicine in particular as a form of professional work, is organized in public and private arenas in three societies with different socio-political philosophies - namely, Britain, the United States and Russia. As such, it examines the varying extent to which the development of independent professional organizations has been enhanced or restricted in public, as compared to more privatized social contexts. The comparative perspective adopted in this book thereby provides insight into the organization of professional work in different contexts and the all-important effects of this on delivery to the public. This book will be of particular interest to scholars, researchers and students of Management, Public Policy and Health Care.

This inspirational text will appeal to those both starting research projects and those wanting to understand how research can be used in everyday working practice. It brings together expertise from a wide range of areas and makes research easy and accessible. The practical workbook style is easy to use and shows the whole process from design to dissemination and application. Those working in primary healthcare teams and the new organisations supporting them will find it essential reading. Primary Care Research series is aimed at developing the knowledge, expertise and skills of all practitioners in primary care. Each book is based on contributions from experts in their field and is supported by practical facts, personal insight, support and advice. They enable all primary care practitioners to realise the potential of exploring information used in everyday working practice. Other books in the Primary Care Research series: Wilson: Research Approaches in Primary Care Mathers: Statistical Analysis in Primary Care

The importance and influence of professions in public life has grown increasingly over the twentieth century but the question of whether they subordinate their own self-interests to the public interest has yet to be adequately researched within a major sociological perspective. In Professions and the Public Interest Mike Saks develops a theoretical and methodolgical framework for assessing professional groups in Western society. The empirical applicability of this framework is demonstrated with particular reference to a novel case study of the response of the medical profession to acupuncture in the nineteenth and twentieth century.

Professions and the Public Interest will be of great interest to all lectures and students of social policy, sociology, and medical sociology as well as to professional groups and their members.

The health professions are facing major changes in the international arena and are being compelled to re-examine their organizational and skill base to sustain their services to sponsors and clients. "Health Professions and the State in Europe" explores key issues relating to these challenges and to the relationship between health care and the state in a range of differing national contexts across the shifting socio-political map of Europe. The editors and contributors address central questions involved in understanding both the history and recent patterns of change and the radical dilemmas and new opportunities facing the health professions to present a complete overview of the current situation. "Health Professions and the State in Europe" is applicable to a wide range of national contexts and a number of health professions - from nursing to midwifery to medicine - and should be of interest to all students, lecturers and professionals in health policy, social policy and medical sociology. Terry Johnson has also published "Professions and Power" (Macmillan 1972) and "Foucault's New Domains" (Routledge, 1993). Gerry Larkin has published "Occupational Monopoly and Modern Medicine" (

The importance and influence of professions in public life has grown increasingly over the 20th century, but the question of whether they subordinate their own self-interests to the public interest has yet to be adequately researched within a major sociological perspective. In "Professions and the Public Interest", Mike Saks develops a theoretical and methodological framework for assessing professional groups in Western society. The empirical applicability of this framework is illustrated with reference to health care, focusing particularly on a novel case study of the response of the medical profession to acupuncture in 19th and 20th century Britain. Does the predominant climate of medical rejection of acupuncture, and many complementary forms of medicine, run counter to the public interest? Has this rejection been heavily influenced by professional self-interest? By considering the implications of this case study for the accountability of the medical profession, Mike Saks makes broader recommendations about the direction of research into the relationship between the public and professions in this academically and politically important subject.

The health professions are facing major changes in the international arena and are being compelled to re-examine their organizational and skill base to sustain their services to sponsors and clients. "Health Professions and the State in Europe" explores key issues relating to these challenges and to the relationship between health care and the state in a range of differing national contexts across the shifting socio-political map of Europe. The editors and contributors address central questions involved in understanding both the history and recent patterns of change and the radical dilemmas and new opportunities facing the health professions to present a complete overview of the current situation. "Health Professions and the State in Europe" is applicable to a wide range of national contexts and a number of health professions - from nursing to midwifery, to medicine - and should be of interest to all students, lecturers and professionals in health policy, social policy and medical sociology. Terry Johnson has also published "Professions and Power" (Macmillan 1972) and "Foucault's New Domains" (Routledge, 1993). Gerry Larkin has also published "Occupational Monopoly and Modern Medic

Professions and Metaphors: Understanding Professions in Society explores the way that two traditions have contributed to our understanding of both theory and society over recent decades. In the first tradition, the growing literature on metaphors has helped to guide thinking, providing insights into such phenomena as the study of organizations. In the second, there has been an increased interest in professions, from lawyers and university academics to doctors and social workers. This edited collection brings together these two traditions for the first time, providing a unique and systematic overview, at macro and micro level, of the use of metaphors in the sociology of professions. A range of professional fields are explored, from law and medicine to social work and teaching, showing how metaphors can enhance our understanding of the operation of professional groups. By demonstrating how metaphors can add to our understanding of professions in society, as well as in professional practice, this ground-breaking book makes an invaluable contribution to advanced students and researchers in fields such as the sociology of professions and work and organization - as well as informing professionals and policy makers themselves.

This original and innovative book opens up new perspectives in health policy debate, examining the emerging international trends in the governance of health professions and the significance of national contexts for the changing health workforce. In bringing together research from a wide range of continental European countries as well as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, the contributors highlight different arenas of governance, as well as the various players involved in the policy process. They expand the public debate on professional governance - hitherto mainly limited to medical self-regulation - to encompass a broad span of health care providers, from nurses and midwives to alternative therapists and health support workers. The book provides new data and geopolitical perspectives in the debate over how to govern health care. It helps to better understand both the enabling conditions for, and the barriers to, making professionals more accountable to the interests of a changing public. This book will be a valuable resource for students at an undergraduate and postgraduate level, particularly for health programmes, sociology of professions and comparative health policy, but also for academics, researchers and managers working in health care.

Professions are increasingly linked with enterprise at a number of interrelated levels. By considering the relationship of professions to the enterprise contexts in which they work, this book reveals the dilemmas posed to professional groups, and the opportunities and constraints that can arise in their organisational frameworks. Addressing both private and public sectors, this collection explores questions including: what are the implications for the culture, practices and identities of professions of working in enterprise contexts, including with increased globalisation? Are professions becoming more entrepreneurial in a knowledge economy? What are the tensions between professionalism and enterprise and how are these resolved? These are themes that are extremely important to professionals and their managers, especially with the rise of large-scale professional service firms serving corporate clients with truly global reach. This cutting-edge collection will be of interest to researchers, educators and advanced students studying professional behaviour in fields such as business studies, management, organisational analysis, public administration, political science, social policy and sociology, as well as students on focused programmes of professional study in fields such as health, law and social care.

There are significant variations in how healthcare systems and health professionals are regulated globally. One feature that they increasingly have in common is an emphasis on the value of including members of the public in quality assurance processes. While many argue that this will help better serve the public interest, others question how far the changing regulatory reform agenda is still dominated by medical interests. Bringing together leading academics worldwide, this collection compares and critically examines the ways in which different countries are regulating healthcare in general, and health professions in particular, in the interest of users and the wider public. It is the first book in the Sociology of Health Professions series.

Saks and Allsop's Researching Health offers a comprehensive introduction to research methods for health care students and practitioners. The new third edition includes important theoretical updates, and further international content, with contributors from the UK, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Canada, and Spain, covering a number of specialisms and providing perspectives on core topics. There are 6 NEW chapters on: Principles of Health Research Methods of Sampling in Qualitative Health Research Qualitative Data Analysis and Health Research Researching Health Care Management Using Secondary Data Online Research in Health Disseminating and Evaluating Health Research The book is supported by case studies, end-of-chapter exercises, annotated further reading, and access to online resources for both students and lecturers, consisting of SAGE journal articles, web links, PowerPoint slides, and teaching notes for each chapter.

Saks and Allsop's Researching Health offers a comprehensive introduction to research methods for health care students and practitioners. The new third edition includes important theoretical updates, and further international content, with contributors from the UK, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Canada, and Spain, covering a number of specialisms and providing perspectives on core topics. There are 6 NEW chapters on: Principles of Health Research Methods of Sampling in Qualitative Health Research Qualitative Data Analysis and Health Research Researching Health Care Management Using Secondary Data Online Research in Health Disseminating and Evaluating Health Research The book is supported by case studies, end-of-chapter exercises, annotated further reading, and access to online resources for both students and lecturers, consisting of SAGE journal articles, web links, PowerPoint slides, and teaching notes for each chapter.