Premium
The process of neutralisation and the uncertainties of cystic fibrosis
Author(s) -
Waddell Charles
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9566.ep11339953
Subject(s) - epidemiology , life expectancy , faith , cystic fibrosis , disease , medicine , intensive care medicine , etiology , psychology , pathology , epistemology , environmental health , population , philosophy
The epidemiological uncertainties of a terminal illness would seem to prohibit the ritual exchange of faith and hope between patient and medical personnel. However, after interviews with people involved in cystic fibrosis networks, I argue that there exists a process of neutralizing five epidemiological uncertainties of this disease: (1) aetiology; (2) genetics; (3) treatment; (4) societal reaction and (5) life expectancy. This process consists of five techniques corresponding to these five epidemiological uncertainties, respectively: (1) the modification of question; (2) the promise of research; (3) the uniqueness of each case; (4) the comparison with others and (5) the lack of an alternative to therapy. Neutralising the epidemiological uncertainties of this disease serves to support the swaying edifice of faith and hope and enables the people within the network to devote themselves to compliance with cystic fibrosis therapy.