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A Douglas College Newsletter.

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Wednesday, June 12, 1985 See Fa oe

 

HEALTH AND ILLNESS

There are great changes ahead for the medical profession.

"Everywhere you look society is changing, including our perceptions of what a doctor

or medical practifionerdoes," says Aida Meshaka, an instructor at Douglas College.

 

@ "People involved in these fields really have to learn about the sociological aspects

of their work."

With a PhD in sociology, Meshaka is in a good position to comment on society and
medicine, and that's precisely what she does in her ‘Sociology of Health and

IIIness' course.

Meshaka began teaching at Douglas College in 1971, prior to receiving her doctorate
from the University of Alberta. Extensive research has been brought together for

this special course she teaches each fall.

"Medicine and illness are not just things that affect the physical side of a
person," she says. "You have to understand the relationships between the whole

medical profession, society, technology and politics."

Her program begins with a historical overview of medical practice: including
traditional and alternate techniques used (acupuncture, herbology, etc.); the
development of sociological studies (how different groups are affected by

particular diseases); and the development of medicine in the modern post -

 

industrial urban society.