Introduction

Critical realist philosophy and social theory are here combined to structure an investigation into what might colloquially be termed ‘change at a hospice’. ¹ To this end the realist social theory of Margaret Archer (awkwardly termed ‘morphogenetic-morphostatic methodology’) directs a study into developments at a hospice in Southern England. The book therefore presents a worked example of realist social research ² and, since critical and social realists claim that philosophy and theory must both ultimately be judged according to use value, if this example productively offers insights that alternative approaches might not have generated, then the value of Archer's realism is demonstrated. More generally it is proposed that critical realist philosophy and social theory have much to offer healthcare workers, researchers and theorists with an interest in healthcare, healthcare organisation and health related behaviours. This book hopefully illustrates the nature, benefits and scope of at least elements of this “offering”.