this selection of key articles chronicles research in the fields of medical knowledge, medical work and health care over the past 25 years. the articles are drawn from the leading international journal, the sociology of health and illness and were originally published between 1980 and 2000. presented together in one volume, they provide an overview of the major changes in the delivery of health care over this period, and in the way that social scientists and health care providers have conceptualised medical knowledge and practice. in introducing each section of the book, the editors situate the articles within the development of research in the field and flag up links to other relevant literature. these features help to make this reader an excellent resource for students of sociology, social policy, social work, health policy or health care.