Patient careers in end-stage renal failure

This paper argues that coping with end-stage renal failure can be analysed in terms of status structures. Biographical narratives from 68 cases of British male married patients of working age and data from four follow-ups covering a time period of up to 12 years are interpreted as evidence of structured career patterns. The method of data interpretation is adapted from Max Weber's ideal type venturing a systematic analysis of life-history (qualitative) material.