Winner of the BMA 2010 Student Textbook of the Year Award Following the GMC's call for greater social and behavioural science input into undergraduate medical education, this title in the Lecture Notes series provides an understanding of how education, social class, family, economics and occupational circumstances, as well as cultural and ethnic influences, shape patients and health professionals alike. A deeper appreciation and understanding of these issues can have a positive effect on clinical diagnosis and practice. Emphasising clinical relevance at all times, the book features photographs and line drawings to illustrate key points, and case studies that provide real-life illustrations of the points discussed. It also contains 'points of view' boxes which encourage critical thinking and challenge the reader to come up with their own explanations for the phenomena described. Lecture Notes: The Social Basis of Medicine provides information and materials useful not only for undergraduate medical students, but also for recently graduated and practising doctors who wish to have a greater understanding of, and to develop their skills in, this area.