Disease classification: A framework for analysis of contemporary developments in precision medicine

This essay synthesizes key analytical perspectives from the vast social science literature on disease classification spanning various disciplines. The aim is to develop a framework for analyzing changes in Western medicine framed under umbrella terms such as ‘precision medicine’ and ‘personalized me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:SSM. Qualitative research in health Vol. 3; p. 100217
Main Author: Wadmann, Sarah
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2023
Elsevier
Subjects:
Diagnosis
Disease classification
Normality
Pathology
Precision medicine
Spinal muscular atrophy
Pathology
Diagnosis
Normality
Precision medicine
Disease classification
Spinal muscular atrophy
ISSN:2667-3215, 2667-3215
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This essay synthesizes key analytical perspectives from the vast social science literature on disease classification spanning various disciplines. The aim is to develop a framework for analyzing changes in Western medicine framed under umbrella terms such as ‘precision medicine’ and ‘personalized medicine.’ I argue that understanding these contemporary changes in the conception and enactment of disease requires attention to historical developments in disease classifications. Spinal muscular atrophy is used as an example case to illustrate this argument. To guide further inquiry into the current move in biomedicine towards precision medicine, I outline two analytical dimensions—material and social interactionist aspects of disease classification—and show how these can be fruitfully combined. Possible starting points and questions for analysis are presented and discussed. •Disease classification is key to contemporary developments in precision medicine.•Epistemic, material and social aspects of disease classification need attention.•New diagnostic techniques and criteria may layer upon existing ones.•Awareness of the past is therefore necessary to grasp contemporary developments.
ISSN:2667-3215
2667-3215
DOI:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100217