Problems posed by professional rehabilitation of cardiac patients
Corone, P.; Jullien, J.L.; Pernot, J.M.; Berthet-Bondet, D.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 69(6): 645-649
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 133648 Document Number: 107728
The authors have followed up children with cardiac defects over almost a twenty year period. During the 1960's most of their patients had come of age, and they conclude that despite the enthusiasm of these young people and their potential, they have the greatest difficulties in finding work. This seems regrettable from the human as well as the socio-economic point of view. They propose that the law should be changed as, indeed, should the spirit of the law, so that; a subject with heart disease should no longer be considered as incapable of useful work, and that each person should be assessed according to his potential. They envisage the setting up of medico-administrative cardiological centres. Thus, in addition to the purely medical cardiological consultation, three additional persons would add their expertise: a social worker, an industrial medicine inspector, and an employment officer. These centres could be instituted easily, without making the existing system too unworkable.