[The ecological debate from the hospital workers' standpoint]

This study seeks to ascertain what hospital workers think about the ecologic debate, looking for opinions that may elicit a discussion about the development of responsible actions to be taken by this group in the context of hospital work. The theoretical benchmark used for this discussion is based on the Reflexive Modernization and the Risk Society concept proposed by contemporary sociologists. This involved qualitative research using case study strategy and it was carried out with hospital workers at a public institution. The data were collected using document analysis, field observation and individual and group interviews. The study revealed that hospital workers take a somewhat distant view in terms of the environmental issue, which is reflexively affected by the current ecological debate. This concept has the influence of specific factors in the context of hospital work. In conclusion, the importance of educational actions together with the workers was identified, in order to establish more responsible actions with respect to environmental preservation.