ABSTRACT
In this chapter I want to consider the life-experience of individuals and to introduce the notions of social class and social stratification in order to understand some of the differences in the experiences of individuals in different groups. Throughout this book discussion on the doctor–patient relationship, the causes of disease, the reasons why patients come to doctors, the patients’ response to treatment, and many other areas of medical practice will emphasize the importance of the social background of the patient contributes for understanding the resulting processes.
