Medical sociology is a branch of sociology based on analyzing the field of medicine as a whole, particularly as it relates to the availability of medical care and to the social impacts of medical professions. The field of medical sociology is based on the work of many different fields, ranging from public health to statistics. It is also a very diverse group in terms of specific ideology, approach, and focus. One group may study the social nature of a specific group of health care institutions, while another may focus on the social impact of disease. The significant variance in focus has led some to believe that medical sociology should be considered a loosely connected group of disciplines instead of a single unified field.