Doświadczenie choroby zawodowej z perspektywy pacjenta. Wyniki wstępnych badań w ujęciu socjologii medycyny

Abstract

The main aim of the study is to raise awareness of patients with occupational disease, that is one of the main groups of social actors, in the process of morbidity. In the process of sociological analysis attention is paid not only to the subjective patient’s experience and the ways of coping with the disease but also to his attempts in creating his own position in experiencing of this disease. And because of this the diseases takes on a specific meaning leading to take concrete actions. In case of occupational diseases we deal with a wide spectrum of diseases mostly chronic resulting from the work. The pilot study was carried out on a group of patients from the institution involved in confirming medical diagnosis of occupational diseases. Data from questionnaire surveys allowed for preliminary evaluation of the own health status, occupational activity and social relations as well as subjective interpretations of these areas. It enabled to initiate the process of the creation of yet unidentified sources of knowledge on functioning of individuals suffering from occupational disease what can strengthen the support system directed to this group of patients.