An introduction to the social sciences for medical students

Medical education requires students to understand how social, cultural, political, historical, and structural factors shape health outcomes. Now in its Second Edition, The Social Basis of Medicine draws on anthropology, sociology, and psychology to meet these demands. This interdisciplinary text translates social theory into clinically applicable knowledge for practitioners.

This updated edition shifts emphasis from cultural to structural competency, reflecting current debates in medical education. New coverage addresses social media, artificial intelligence, viral pandemics, LGBTQI+ rights, human mobility, and planetary health. A case-based approach uses real-life examples from around the world, while practical toolkits and checklists help students apply social concepts directly in clinical settings.

Readers will also find:

• Theories introduced through topical issues rather than abstract discussion, making social and behavioural science concepts immediately accessible
• Summaries of factual information with sections pointing to further relevant online resources for deeper independent study
• Visual material throughout the text designed to reinforce understanding of social determinants and their clinical implications
• Expanded global scope, incorporating international examples that reflect the globalisation of healthcare
• Coverage aligned with core curricula developed by organisations such as Behavioural and Social Science Teachers (BeSST) in Medicine

Designed primarily for medical students, this book is also directly relevant to recently graduated and practicing doctors, allied health students, and social science undergraduates seeking to connect their disciplines to medical practice.

Andrew J. Russell is Emeritus Professor of Medical Anthropology at Durham University, where he has had a distinguished career integrating and establishing the social and behavioural sciences as part of undergraduate medical education. His interdisciplinary expertise in anthropology, sociology, and health spans decades of teaching and curriculum development for medical students across the UK and internationally.

Margret Jaeger is an Austrian medical anthropologist who works as a researcher at the Department of Research and Development at the Swiss digital health technology company LEP AG. Her research expertise connects social theory with practical applications in healthcare settings, contributing to interdisciplinary approaches across European health science education contexts.

Mayssa Rekhis is a Tunisian medical doctor with a Ph. D. in Anthropology from the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris. She works across disciplines focusing on health and social justice. She is the former Director of the Masters in Global Health and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and is a core project lead of Cases in Global Social Medicine in The Lancet.