You are here

Health Policy
Share

Health Policy
A Critical Perspective



December 2008 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
This textbook provides a critical assessment of developments in health and healthcare policy within the UK and Europe. Each chapter integrates conceptual themes drawn from the fields of sociology and political science to offer a unique combination of theory, historical detail and wider social commentary.

The book is divided into four sections:

- Section One establishes a theoretical basis for the analysis of contemporary health policy.

- Section Two examines the key constituents of health care 'systems', which includes a comparative analysis of EU member states.

- Section Three focuses on contemporary health care policy and provision in the UK.

- Section Four assesses the increasingly limited ability of national governments to reduce threats to the health of their populations.

Written in an accessible style, the student-friendly approach highlights key concepts and includes introductions, summaries and examples of further reading. Each chapter also includes case studies and activities which encourage the reader to think about the planning, implementation and assessment of specific healthcare policies.

This is a timely and authoritative textbook that covers a key topic of the curriculum while also contributing to topical debates. The book will be essential reading for healthcare and social science students taking modules in health policy, and will also be of interest to policy makers and practitioners in the field of healthcare.

 
PART ONE
Theory and Context

 
 
Studying Health Policy
 
The Role of the State
Theory and Practice

 
 
The Policy-Making Process
 
PART TWO
The Healthcare System

 
 
The Structure of Healthcare in the UK
Continuity and Change

 
 
The System of Healthcare Funding in the UK
 
A Comparative Analysis of European Healthcare Systems
Changing Demands, Common Solutions?

 
 
PART THREE
Issues in Healthcare Provision

 
 
Governing the Medical Profession
 
Managing the Performance of the NHS
 
A Patient-Led Health Service? Choice, Equity and the Supplier Market
 
Meeting Long-term Health and Social Care Needs in the Community
 
PART FOUR
Looking to the Future

 
 
Health Beyond Policy

"Unquestionably, the author is well acquainted with contemporary health policy...This well-ordered, relatively concise and timely textbook will find a home on the shelves of healthcare and social science students taking modules in health policy, their teachers, as well as the general reader seeking both theoretical and practical insights into contemporary health policy. The merit of this book is not that it has proposed a definitive framework for health policy analysis, or that it has covered all the current health policy issues, but that it has related key sociological and political science concepts and theories to health policy analysis, which the reader may put together as they like to develop their own lines of inquiry. Moreover, vignettes with key concepts and suggested activities that appear throughout the text will help the reader further develop their critical thinking and understanding of the issues discussed in the text."

- Journal of Social Policy, April, 2010


A solid introductory book that indtroduces first year students to the complexity of Health policy. A sound critical perspective adopted.

Dr Peter Leadbetter
Health & Social Care, Edge Hill University
October 27, 2014

A student friendly approach that assesses the developments in health and health care policy within the UK and Europe.

Miss Martina Kirlew
Health and Social Care, University of Bolton
November 4, 2013

This book is well structured, and provides useful information for not only students but resarchers.

Dr Jason Tsai
Health and Social Care, Lincoln University
October 14, 2013

Really clear textbook that makes a seemingly dry subject very enjoyable to read. Woudl recommend to all lecturers and students of public/social policy.

Mr Peter Hill
School of Business and Social Sciences, Roehampton University
September 16, 2013

Not adopted currently as the DipHE curriculum does not allow the time to introduce & explore Health Policy in this level of detail. However will consider carefully when BSc programme commences in two years, as it gives an interesting historical perspective on the developments leading to current healthcare policy.

Mrs Karen Evans
Faculty of Health & Social Work, University of Plymouth
September 13, 2012

useful to look at current broad health policy issues but may date quickly.

Mrs Lynn Swift
Sch of Health,Community & Educ Studies, Northumbria University
April 24, 2012

A really well-structured book, useful for the undergraduate course. "Key concept" boxes particularly good for explaining potentially unfamiliar terms in an accessible manner.

Miss Hannah Perrin
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent
March 26, 2012

A good overall text book covering many relevant subjects

Mrs Karen Burton
Health , Neath Port Talbot College
September 13, 2011

Argues the policy of health. An essential book for health students, can be used in most health studies contexts.

Mrs Karyn Richardson
Dental, University of Teesside
August 7, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction PDF

PDF of Chapter One


For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9781412922876
£36.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412922869
£118.00

SAGE Knowledge is the premier social sciences platform for SAGE and CQ Press book, reference and video content.

The platform allows researchers to cross-search and seamlessly access a wide breadth of must-have SAGE book and reference content from one source.