Deviance Among Physicians: Fraud, Violence, and the Power to Prescribe

The concept of deviance is complex, given that norms vary considerably across groups, times, and places. Society tends to primarily recognize traditional portraits of deviants such as street-offenders and drug addicts. The label "deviant" is commonly cast upon society’s undesirables, but this socially constructed image often overlooks subtler—and arguably more dangerous—deviance. Physician malfeasance is an especially problematic form, given that medical professionals garner trust, autonomy...