“A Deeper Dialogue Between Natural and Social Sciences is Essential,” says a researcher specializing in the sociology of medicine
Jaroslava Hasmanová Marhánková from the Institute of Sociological Studies at FSV UK has explored various topics throughout her academic career – aging, physicality, and gender issues. In recent years, however, she has primarily focused on the sociology of medicine. Through her current research on antibiotic resistance, she aims to deepen the necessary collaboration between medical and social sciences.
“From a young age, I imagined myself as a writer. In this regard, sociology is not too far from my original dream. Sociology also tells stories about society, but these stories require a strong foundation in empirical research and methodological procedures,” says Hasmanová Marhánková, explaining why she chose the path of a researcher, specifically in sociology.
She primarily uses qualitative sociological methods in her work, as she is interested in how individual experiences reflect broader societal patterns. However, as she points out, this aspect often makes sociology an “uncomfortable” science: “It has the ability to challenge our often idealistic perception of individuality. It shows how deeply we are shaped by the context in which we grew up and live. It highlights that many things we tend to see as deeply personal – such as our tastes, partner preferences, or ideas of aesthetics – often have their roots in the society we inhabit.”
She particularly enjoys discovering unexpected connections and exploring the extent of social influences in areas where they might not be immediately apparent. This has been a long-term focus, especially in the sociology of aging. She has worked on numerous publications and projects in this field, including coordinating the qualitative component of the international project Aging as Future in the Czech Republic. However, with her successful habilitation lecture, she symbolically concluded this chapter of her research, shifting her focus more toward the sociology of health and medicine.
She first ventured into this field several years ago through research on reproductive health – specifically, studying women classified as having high-risk pregnancies. She was particularly interested in their experiences with medical examinations and healthcare technologies. “One of the themes that greatly influenced me in this context was the experience of women who refused these examinations, whether it was ultrasound screenings or amniocentesis,” she explains. Her research focused on why some women rejected these procedures, the impact on their relationships with doctors, and how these experiences shaped their pregnancies.
“From this topic, it was just a small step to studying critical attitudes toward vaccination. I started exploring this issue back in 2012, when it was not yet a prominent topic in Czech public discourse. I returned to it again during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she says about her subsequent research trajectory.
Trust in Vaccination in an International Context
Between 2021 and 2024, she studied societal attitudes toward vaccination as part of the international project Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in Europe (VAX-TRUST), led at FSV UK by Associate Professor Dino Numerato. The project brought together researchers from various European countries with significantly different healthcare systems, varying levels of parental trust in vaccines, and distinct histories of vaccination programs. Participants included Finland and Portugal, where trust in vaccination is strong, as well as Italy and Poland, where skepticism is more prevalent.
“In the Czech Republic, childhood vaccination is part of long-term pediatric care provided by general practitioners for children, whereas in Italy, it takes place in specialized vaccination centers where parents meet healthcare professionals only at the moment of vaccination,” Hasmanová Marhánková explains. This diversity of contexts helped highlight key factors influencing communication about vaccination. “For example, the long-term relationship between parents and pediatricians provides a unique space for building trust. We should utilize this advantage more effectively,” she emphasizes.
A particularly insightful experience for her was leading practical workshops for pediatricians and nurses. These workshops revealed that healthcare professionals have a strong interest in this issue. “Our goal was not to provide a guide on how to convince parents to vaccinate their children but rather to help them understand the reasons and experiences behind vaccine hesitancy. If we understand these reasons, we can establish more meaningful communication between parents and doctors,” she explains.
“Some parents became critical of vaccination due to negative past experiences with the healthcare system. Others lost trust in medical procedures, while some were simply highly engaged in their children’s health and concluded that vaccination might pose a risk. These different pathways require different communication strategies to ensure that vaccine consultations do not turn into heated debates that further erode trust in doctors and their procedures,” she adds.
Collaboration with Physicians
From vaccination, she has now shifted her research within the sociology of medicine to the issue of antibiotics. She currently leads the project Local Lives of Antibiotics: Antibiotic Prescription and Consumption as Cultural Practices, supported by the Czech Science Foundation. The impetus for this study came from the medical community itself.
“Even within the medical field, there is growing awareness that complex problems – such as antibiotic resistance – cannot be solved without the expertise of social sciences. For instance, the consumption of antibiotics varies across European countries, and this cannot be explained purely by medical reasons,” she notes. She highlights that antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats of the future and is already impacting the health of millions worldwide.
However, she believes that the solution does not lie in developing new antibiotics: “The reality is much more complicated – at present, the likelihood of discovering entirely new, groundbreaking antibiotics is more theoretical than practical. Therefore, we need to focus on managing existing resources responsibly. Social sciences play an irreplaceable role here because antibiotic resistance is not just a laboratory problem but also a societal one. How people perceive antibiotics, what they expect from them, and how much they understand their effects influence their overuse,” she states. To slow the resistance process, she argues that behavioral change, health policies, and broader societal attitudes toward antibiotics must shift.
Instead of the usual focus on patient health literacy, her research examines the prescribing process itself. “We aim to understand how the individuals responsible for prescribing antibiotics – doctors, veterinarians, and other healthcare professionals – perceive their role in antibiotic resistance. How aware are they of the consequences of their decisions? How do systemic pressures, professional norms, or patient expectations shape their daily practices? What barriers or motivations influence their prescribing behavior? We also see regional differences as an important topic,” she explains.
One particularly unexplored area this project addresses is the prescribing of antibiotics in veterinary care for pets. According to Hasmanová Marhánková, this topic provides a fascinating perspective on the dynamics between people, their animals, and the healthcare system while also raising economic, regulatory, and societal questions. “In recent decades, we have seen the growing importance of pets in people’s lives – they are increasingly viewed as full-fledged family members, and their health has become a priority for owners. This shift has led to a rise in medical interventions and increased antibiotic use. Veterinarians often face pressure from pet owners who expect quick and effective solutions to their animals’ health problems, similar to how people demand antibiotics for themselves or their children,” she notes. “Beyond these social factors, economic interests also play a role. This context shows that prescribing antibiotics is not just a matter of medical necessity but is influenced by various social and economic factors that need analysis,” she adds.
Overall, she hopes this project will contribute to a stronger connection between natural and social sciences, which she feels is sometimes still lacking in the Czech Republic. Looking ahead, she aims to continue fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. “I find it highly stimulating. However, it is also challenging because people from different disciplines have different expectations. Unfortunately, social sciences often still have to fight for recognition in some areas. Topics related to health and medicine fall into this category,” she observes.
“At the same time, unsuccessful collaborations can close the door to further dialogue. In this regard, I feel a responsibility to ensure that our project fosters this collaboration while effectively communicating the importance of sociological expertise,” she concludes.
