title: Is medicine a social science?
abstract: The question, "Is medicine as social science?" can be understood in three different ways. One interpretation suggests that medicine is merely a social science, which is obviously false. Another interpretation is that medicine might be part a social science. The third interpretation of the question is, "Is the social scientific dimension of medicine very important:" Three claims are considered about the social scientific dimension of medicine. Although these claims are shown to be untrue, they nevertheless call attention to neglected aspects of medicine.
mesh_terms: D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D012803:Sick Role; D012931:Social Environment; D012942:Social Sciences