[Partial inability to work as an iatrogenic factor leading to social alienation]

Passing expert opinions in cases referred to the Labor and Social Insurance Court is a major field of activities of the present authors. The analysis of the investigated cases repeatedly indicates a need for studies to be carried out in the area of certifying individuals as partially unable to work. The authors emphasize the ambiguity of this term and the resulting contradictory expert opinions. On the other hand, the mechanism of iatrogenic effect of such a pronouncement is clearly visible. One may say that with time, the evaluated individuals activate adaptative mechanisms leading to their permanent functioning in the state of inability to work. Their response to this situation is directly proportional to the degree of original overdiagnosis during the first referral to an insurance inspector. Overdiagnosing can be qualified as a medical error, which results in impaired functioning in social roles and in social alienation. The term "partial inability to work" is synonymous with the term "ability to perform work that is adequately adjusted". Therefore, instead of this disadvantageous certification, the authors suggest the development of a professional revalidation system and legal eradication of the term "partial inability to work".