Disability and the Sociology of Long-Term Conditions

Location: Room AG24b, College Building, City University London, St John Street, EC1V 4PB

There is a long history of debate between medical sociologists and disability theorists about how disability is, and should be, researched. Much of the debate hinges on the distinction between the, often unconsciously, medicalised approach within much medical sociology and the social model/oppression approach favoured in disability studies. In this presentation Sasha Scambler argues that the disability associated with long-term conditions has often been sidelined in disability studies in the past and that it has been left to medical sociologists to explore the implications of living with long term disabling conditions. The sociology of long-term conditions has developed over the past half century and this presentation explores the insights that work in this area can give to our wider understanding of disability. Drawing on examples of research on the experiences of families of children with rare neurodegenerative conditions and on empowerment and patient centred care in diabetes, she argues that new insights into the complex relationship between the body and society can be found.

Sasha Scambler is a sociologist who researches and publishes in the area of health with a particular interest in long term disabling conditions, loneliness and social isolation, inequalities in all it's various forms and social theory. Sasha has written books on the sociology of long-term conditions and loneliness in later life. She is co-editor of the journal Social Science and Dentistry and a contributing editor for the BSA linked Cost of Living Blog site.

Reference

Scambler, G. and Scambler, S. (eds.)(2010) New Directions in the Sociology of Chronic and Disabling Conditions: Assaults on the Lifeworld, Palgrave Macmillan 

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