Understanding and Managing Uncertainty in Healthcare

Book excerpt: Through one theoretical paper and empirical studies of contemporary examples of healthcare related uncertainties and their management, this collection articulates the different ways in which uncertainty may be articulated, enacted and experienced. Considers the role of ‘implicit normativity’ in masking and containing potential ethical uncertainty Presents core analytical strands: (1) conceptualising uncertainty; (2) intersections of uncertainty with aspects of care; (3) managing uncertainty; and (4) structural constraints, economic austerity and uncertainty work Reflects on the methodological and theoretical stances used to think sociologically about uncertainty in healthcare Considers the implications of the insights gained for ‘synthesising certainty’ in practice and for future research in this area