Relinquishing the sick role: convalescence and rehabilitation

This paper examines the problems of patients who have been considered by their doctors to have received adequate rehabilitation and to be ready to relinquish the sick role. The sick role is discussed in its historical context and convalescence and rehabilitation are considered as alternative approaches to medical and nursing care. It is argued that many patients leaving hospital are frightened because they do not feel well and they will receive little if any follow-up or support after discharge. It is the author's belief that many patients need to convalesce because the very essence of their being is still ill.