Ellen Annandale, Mary Ann Elston and Lindsay Prior are all experts in the sociology of medical work, medical knowledge and health care. Until recently, they were senior members of the editorial team of the journal, The Sociology of Health and Illness. Dr Annandale is the author of The Sociology of Health and Medicine'; (1989), Dr Elston is the editor of The Sociology of Medical Science and Technology'; (Blackwell Publishing, 1997) and Dr Prior is the author of The Social Organisation of Mental Illness'; (1993).

• The book is a collection of articles already published in the journal Sociology of Health & Illness, organised into 4 sections:. 1. Medical Knowledge, Diagnosis and Treatment.2. Medical Power and the Patient.3. The Division of Labour in Health Care Work.4. Patient-Provider Interaction.These sections are prefaced by a substantial introductory chapter written by the editors entitled: 'Medical Work, Medical Knowledge and Health Care: Themes and Issues.'.Each section is preceded by an introductory discussion.