The Sociological Practitioner as a Change Agent in a Hospital Setting: Applications of Phenomenological Theory and Social Construction of Reality Theory

This article contains a discussion and a rationale for the use of phenomenological theory and social construction of reality theory in sociological practice. It also presents examples of the application of these theories via sociological practice in a hospital setting, and describes the role of a sociological practitioner in this setting. In a paper on cultural relativity as a counseling paradigm in clinical sociology, Black and Enos (1982) emphasize the role of the clinical sociologist in individual counseling. In the process of justifying that role, they also present considerable support for the role of the clinical sociologist as a change agent within groups. Glassner and Freedman posit that groups are the focus of all clinical sociology. It is their contention that when the sociologist, as clinician, works with individuals, it is with the end of developing "effective strategies for group living" (1979:288). In a discussion of the clinical sociologist on the micro level, Lee Clifford M. Black, Ph.D., is Associate Dean, School of Community Service; Richard Enos, D.S.W., is Chairperson, Department of Social Work; John A. Holman, Ph.D., is Director, Institute of Criminal Justice Programs—all of The School of Community Service, North Texas State University,