Professional Health Regulation in the Public Interest

“Leading sociologists have contributed essays that reveal what is unique in some countries’ attempts at regulation. Some attempts differ, some are the same, but the role of the public interest ties these dozen studies together. A quiet revolution has occurred in managing medicine; this book sheds light on this important topic.” CHOICE Connect

"With enormous variation in the delivery of healthcare, how it is regulated is more important than ever. The authors herein dissect the differences and enlighten us with forensic ability over a global range." John Flood, Professor of Law and Society, Griffith University Law School, Australia

John Martyn Chamberlain is Professor of Medical Criminology and Public Policy at Swansea University. His multidisciplinary background spans socio-legal studies, philosophy, ethics, statistics and machine learning. His research interests include the study of medical malpractice, negligence and criminality; the role of ‘big data’ and artificial intelligence in public health ethics and governance; and the emergence of gene editing technology and the role of neuroscience in the courtroom.

Mike Dent is Emeritus Professor at Staffordshire University and Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester. He is a sociologist with an interest in healthcare professions and comparative healthcare organisation. Currently, he is also researching and publishing on the topic of public and user involvement in healthcare. In addition, he is on the Board of the International Sociological Association Research Committee on the Sociology of Professions.

Mike Saks is Emeritus Professor at the University of Suffolk and Visiting Professor at the University of Lincoln, Plymouth Marjon University, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and the University of Toronto, Canada. Alongside his previous membership of the Executive/Board of six Universities (including as Chief Executive), he has produced numerous high-profile journal articles/chapters, as well as over fifteen books on health, professions, regulation and research methods. He is a previous President of the International Sociological Association Research Committee on the Sociology of Professions.

Foreword ~ Richard B. Saltman

Editors’ overview ~ Mike Saks and Mike Dent

Introduction: professional health regulation in the public interest ~ John Martyn Chamberlain

Health care governance, user involvement and medical regulation in Europe ~ Mike Dent

The informalisation of professional-patient interactions and the consequences for regulation in the United Kingdom ~ Patrick Brown and Ruben Flores

The regulation of health care in Scandinavia: professionals, the public interest and trust ~ Karsten Vrangbæk

Medical regulation for the public interest in the United Kingdom ~ William Roche

Regulating the regulators: the rise of the United Kingdom Professional Standards Authority ~ Judith Allsop and Kathryn Jones

Regulation and Russian medicine: whither medical professionalisation? ~ Mike Saks

Patterns of medical oversight and regulation in Canada ~ Humayun Ahmed, Adalsteinn Brown and Mike Saks

Let the consumer beware: maintenance of licensure and certification in the United States ~ Ruth Horowitz

Governing complementary and alternative medicine in Brazil and Portugal: implications for CAM professionals and the public ~ Joana Almeida, Pamela Siegel and Nelson Barros

Birth of the hydra-headed monster: a unique antipodean model of health workforce governance ~ Fiona Pacey and Stephanie Short

Health complaints entities in Australia and New Zealand: serving the public interest? ~ Jennifer Morris, Jennifer Moore and Marie Bismark

Trust and the regulation of health systems: insights from India ~ Michael Calnan and Sumit Kane