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Training for certainty

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  • Atkinson, Paul

Abstract

This paper offers a critique of the idea of 'uncertainty' in the sociology of medicine, particularly in the context of studies of medical education. The work of Renée Fox is used as the main example of the work against which this criticism is levelled. It is argued that the idea of 'training for uncertainty' has been over-emphasized in previous literature. The notion of 'training for certainty' is proposed as a corrective. Finally, however, it is argued that an adequate phenomenology of medical knowledge, education and practice must recognize 'certainty' and 'uncertainty' as two different 'attitudes', which may co-exist simultaneously, reflecting different practical and theoretical interests.

Suggested Citation

  • Atkinson, Paul, 1984. "Training for certainty," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 19(9), pages 949-956, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:19:y:1984:i:9:p:949-956
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    Cited by:

    1. Johannessen, Lars E.F., 2018. "Workplace assimilation and professional jurisdiction: How nurses learn to blur the nursing-medical boundary," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 51-58.
    2. Nelson, Mia & Ogden, Jane, 2008. "An exploration of food intolerance in the primary care setting: The general practitioner's experience," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1038-1045, September.
    3. Hayes, Jennie & McCabe, Rose & Ford, Tamsin & Parker, Daisy & Russell, Ginny, 2021. "‘Not at the diagnosis point’: Dealing with contradiction in autism assessment teams," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    4. Kroll, Camille & Murphy, Julia & Poston, Lindsay & You, Whitney & Premkumar, Ashish, 2022. "Cultivating the ideal obstetrical patient: How physicians-in-training describe pain associated with childbirth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).

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