ABSTRACT
The concept of deviance is complex, given that norms vary considerably across groups, times, and places. In our society, however, we tend to only recognize traditional portraits of deviants such as street-offenders and drug addicts. That is, the label deviant is commonly cast upon society’s undesirables. But this socially constructed and widely accepted image often overlooks subtler, and arguably more dangerous malfeasance. A prime example of such non-conventional criminality is physician deviance-illicit or fraudulent acts committed by doctors (e.g., surgeons, dentists, psychiatrists, and so on) for personal gain within the context of their profession. This chapter provides an overview of the key themes related to physician deviance, including the concepts of trust and power, as well as situates the study of misconduct by medical professionals within its historical context and the broader white-collar crime literature. Finally, this chapter outlines the topics of discussion presented in the remaining chapters of the text.
