Social dimensions of a public health policy. The case of infantile protection consultations

This thesis is a contribution to the analysis of the medico-social action as a particular type of intervention. It is based on a field work in the free consultations of “child protection” (protection infantile in French) in France, and questions the medico-social prevention while being "performed". This research also observes the gaps and tensions which exist between legislation, organization of the consultations, professional positions taken by the protagonists, and the specific issue of the public addressed in priority by these consultations. There are numerous stakes within the articulation of medical and social, as well as various medical and social elements raised in the real-life situations. The analysis of these stakes and elements reveals that prevention is crafted, invented, and necessarily redefined in daily interactions.
Cette thèse est une contribution à l’analyse de l’action médico-sociale comme forme particulière d’intervention. À partir du terrain des consultations gratuites de protection infantile, il s’agit d’interroger la prévention médico-sociale « en acte » et d’observer les décalages et tensions qui existent entre législation, organisation des consultations, positionnement professionnel des intervenants, et problématique spécifique du public auquel ils s’adressent en priorité. L’analyse des enjeux que recouvre l’articulation médical/social et celle des éléments médicaux et sociaux effectivement mobilisés en situation révèle que la prévention se réalise, s’invente et se redéfinit nécessairement au quotidien.