Thinking critically : the case of health policy research.

In this paper, we focus upon the recent work of one of health policy's leading academics. We then explore policy developments and show that where 'mainstream' health policy analysis implicitly supports the managerialization of health services, our critical perspectives reveal the existence of four male power blocs: management, medicine as science, medicine as practice, and the academic discipline of political science. Finally we suggest how the use of our perspectives enhances the possibility for bringing about meaningful change in health policy