Article ID: CBB188878802

Constructing contentious and noncontentious facts: How gynecology textbooks create certainty around pharma-contraceptive safety: Research Note (April 2019)

unapi

Using critical discourse analysis, we examine how seven popular gynecology textbooks use sociolinguistic devices to describe the health effects of pharma-contraception (intrauterine and hormonal methods). Though previous studies have noted that textbooks generally use neutral language, we find that gynecology textbooks differentially deployed linguistic devices, framing pharma-contraceptive benefits as certain and risks as doubtful. These discursive strategies transform pharma-contraceptive safety into fact. We expand on Latour and Woolgar’s concept of noncontentious facts by showing how some facts that are taken for granted by the medical community still require discursive fortification to counter potential negative accusations from outside the profession. We call these contentious facts. Our findings suggest that a pro-pharma orientation exists in gynecology textbooks, which may influence physicians’ understanding of pharmaceutical safety. As such, these texts may affect medical practice by normalizing pharma-contraceptives without full considerations of their risks.

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Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB188878802/

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Authors & Contributors
Appel, Hannah
Rodwell, Elizabeth
Pope, Albert
Liz Sevcenko
Howe, Cymene
Long, Elizabeth
Concepts
Technoscience; science and technology studies
Medicine
Risk
Pharmaceutical industry
Public understanding of medicine
Public health
Time Periods
21st century
20th century, late
20th century
Places
Japan
South Korea
United States
Netherlands
Canada
Mexico
Institutions
Accountable Care Organizations (Medical care)
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