Overview

This accessible book provides a cogent review of the literature on discourse analysis as it pertains to medical and health matters. It demonstrates the centrality of discourse analysis to an understanding of health and communication. Introducing original research from his own studies, Richard Gwyn focuses on language and communication issues. He shows that it is possible to observe and analyze patterns in the ways in which health and illness are represented and articulated by both health professionals and lay people. Discourse, Health and Illness: * explores culturally validated notions of health and sickness and the medicalization of illness * surveys media representations of health and illness * considers the metaphoric nature of talk about illness * contributes to the ongoing debate in relation to narrative based medicine The book is vividly illustrated throughout with examples from the author's own research.

Full Product Details

Author:   Richard Gwyn
Publisher:   SAGE Publications Inc
Imprint:   SAGE Publications Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.440kg
ISBN:  

9780761964742

ISBN 10:   0761964746
Pages:   182
Publication Date:   18 October 2001
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Introduction The Body, Disease and Discourse `Lay′ Talk about Illness Power, Asymmetry and Decision-Making in Medical Encounters The Media, Expert Opinion and Health Scares Metaphors of Sickness and Recovery Narrative and the Voicing of Illness Conclusion

Reviews

It raises a number of thorny issues concerning what communication is, or might be, for embodied people... I enjoyed reading this book and it goes on my shelf in the knowledge that I shall reach for it again. It also becomes a key reference on my list of recommendations for students taking my 'health and illness' course... it deserves to be read as an excellent review of the field at present. -- European Journal of Communication `There has been a pressing need for a book like this for some time. Gwyn cogently reviews the literature on discourse analysis as it pertains to medical and health matters. Introducing original research from his own studies allows him to vividly illustrate just how important it is to understand the role played by discourse. Students of health communication and the sociology of health and illness will find this book integral to their studies' - Deborah Lupton

'There has been a pressing need for a book like this for some time. Gwyn cogently reviews the literature on discourse analysis as it pertains to medical and health matters. Introducing original research from his own studies allows him to vividly illustrate just how important it is to understand the role played by discourse. Students of health communication and the sociology of health and illness will find this book integral to their studies' - Deborah Lupton 'There has been a pressing need for a book like this for some time. Gwyn cogently reviews the literature on discourse analysis as it pertains to medical and health matters. Introducing original research from his own studies allows him to vividly illustrate just how important it is to understand the role played by discourse. Students of health communication and the sociology of health and illness will find this book integral to their studies' - Deborah Lupton It raises a number of thorny issues concerning what communication is, or might be, for embodied people! I enjoyed reading this book and it goes on my shelf in the knowledge that I shall reach for it again. It also becomes a key reference on my list of recommendations for students taking my 'health and illness' course! it deserves to be read as an excellent review of the field at present. -- European Journal of Communication 20030110

It raises a number of thorny issues concerning what communication is, or might be, for embodied people! I enjoyed reading this book and it goes on my shelf in the knowledge that I shall reach for it again. It also becomes a key reference on my list of recommendations for students taking my 'health and illness' course! it deserves to be read as an excellent review of the field at present. -- European Journal of Communication 20030110 'There has been a pressing need for a book like this for some time. Gwyn cogently reviews the literature on discourse analysis as it pertains to medical and health matters. Introducing original research from his own studies allows him to vividly illustrate just how important it is to understand the role played by discourse. Students of health communication and the sociology of health and illness will find this book integral to their studies' - Deborah Lupton

Author Information

Richard Gwyn is Lecturer and Co-ordinator at the Health Communication Research Centre, Cardiff University

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions