Medical sociology and epidemiology: convergences, divergences and legitimate boundaries.
For the purpose of exploring the existence of problem areas that may give rise to the question whether there is a tendency to (illegitimately) trespass across boundaries between medical sociology and epidemiology, important convergences and divergences between both disciplines are described. To assemble arguments for the legitimacy of fields of study we trace comparatively the history of both disciplines, definitions of their fields under study and aims of study, as well as characteristic concepts and constructs. Current research themes are taken from international journals; divergent interests are briefly described and potential 'trespassing' of boundaries is discussed, referring to themes showing convergences of interest.
Spruit
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IP
Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
Kromhout
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D
D001319:Authorship; D004813:Epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012962:Sociology, Medical