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CALL FOR PAPERS
Suomen Antropologi: Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society,
Autumn 2011
Theme: Change, Choice and Identity Politics in Contemporary Health
Care – a medical anthropological perspective
Profound social and economic changes are taking place in the welfare
structure of contemporary Western societies. In most European
countries public services have been increasingly organized according
to consumerist market principles. The ‘agenda of choice’ is seen as
benefiting the state and society through more efficient and low-cost
service provision, and citizens by giving them a more active role as
consumers of public services. The image of the active
‘citizen-consumer’ has made its way into health policy, emphasising
citizens’ responsibility for maintaining their own health and
preventing illness.
Current discussions indicate a change in the position of people who
are ill. Patients’ expertise and autonomy are emphasised and the old
definition of ‘patienthood’ is generally considered to be
paternalistic. Moreover, doctor-patient interaction is understood as
an interaction between two experts, the patient being the expert on
her/his own life and symptoms. The citizen-consumer perspective
implies that, in accordance with market principles, the customer has a
right for e.g. a second opinion and can engage in reclamation practices.
There are hidden moral and ethical problems embedded in the
discussions about patients as consumers and experts. Within the
consumerist model, precedence is given to notions such as freedom and
choice over the values of dignity and trust, traditionally attributed
to the patient-doctor relationship. The idea of patients’ expertise is
linked to an idealised picture of competent, decision-making and
autonomous consumers, and of vulnerable life situations arising as
matters of rational choice. These qualities do not necessarily
characterise people who are severely or chronically ill. A health
care policy emphasising patients’ autonomy may lead to deepening
inequalities among sick people. As Annemarie Mol argues in her recent
book The Logic of Choice (2008), an emphasis on choice leads to the
sidelining of care: the ill do not get the relational and persistent
care they require. The question of agency in the lives and care of the
ill has become vital in contemporary society.
For this special issue of Suomen Antropologi: Journal of the Finnish
Anthropological Society we invite researchers with a background in
medical anthropology or medical sociology to submit articles or
research reports that investigate how these challenges affect
patients, next-of-kin and medical professionals, as well as society at
large.
Please send a 250-word abstract by January 31, 2011 to Guest-Editors
Susanne Ådahl and Marja-Liisa Honkasalo: susanne.adahl(at)helsinki.fi
and marja-liisa.honkasalo(at)liu.se. Notification of provisional
acceptance will be sent by February 30th, 2011. Final submissions may
be in the form of research articles (8-11,000 words) or research
reports (3-5,000 words). The usual format of the journal comprises 3-5
articles, 2-3 research reports and a Forum of short, controversial
papers on a specific subject. This is flexible, however. Well-crafted
interviews with high-ranking scholars in the field are also a
possibility. Research articles undergo the full rigour of
international, anonymous, peer review; research reports are reviewed
by the Guest Editors of the issue, qualified associates and the
regular editorial team. For further information about the journal
please see its web page at:
http://www.antropologinenseura.fi/en/journal/
Please share this with anyone who may be interested in submitting a paper.
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