MEDICAL EXPERTISE, WORKING CAPACITY AND SOCIAL ADAPTATION

Introduction: Global development shows an ever-increasing tendency in the number of people with disability who cannot solve their problems of everyday life on their own. The purpose of this study is to identify the problems of medical expertise that reflect on social adaptation and to prepare suggestions for change. Material and methods: Material:Selection of the participants (random method): internet announcement and „snowball“ method; focus groups. Methods: Qualitative research: „Implementation of the rights of people with disability/impairment under the current legislation using the focus group method“. Results: Suggestions for change in the medical expertise system were made in relation to the identified key areas and unresolved issues. The patients’ preparation for appearing before the committee can be facilitated by optimising the costs. The connection between the right to a disability pension and mandatory rehabilitation and requalification is absent. The medical and social assessments of disability should be united and implemented by one commission. A new regulation on medical expertise is necessary to optimise the cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy on the problems of people with disability. Conclusions: The expected results of an effectively functioning medical expertise system are associated with an increase in the number of people with disability who have achieved comprehensive rehabilitation, a reduction in the degree of disability and return to the labour market. The accomplishment of such an objective contributes to the elimination of obstacles during rehabilitation activities, the selection of optimal assistive technology devices and social services.