The volume deals with various aspects of medical social work. Beginning with the nature and scope of social work and delving into the inter-disciplinary approach to health and medicine that is needed, it discusses theoretical and practical aspects of social work. It takes up psycho-social theories of health behaviour, medical social theory, and theoretical aspects of social epidemiology. It looks into history of public health, organisation and structuring of public health practice, public health programmes, role of anthropology in public health, public health nursing and health risk appraisal. It throws light on social work practice methods and principles, emphasising case management in public health, intervention and treatment planning, teamwork and collaboration, access to information and technology, and stress management. The comprehensive study also dwells on social work vis-à-vis information on genetics and barriers of genetic social service.