Besieged fortress syndrome? Occupational group of physicians and medicine students and the problem of social reception of health care system in Poland

Abstract

The paper refers to the problem of decline in public confidence in health care system in Poland. Impartial reports prove that mass media are keen on showing medical mistakes, corruption as well as other thrilling news. The memorable case of “skin-hunters” from Lodz seems to be a good example. This may create the critical public opinion on functionaries of health care system (especially on physicians). Surveys by CBOS show that many of Poles reckon that doctors are incompetent, do not interested in their work and unfair when treating patients. Malevolent public opinion and “scandal-oriented” media coverage should create an hostile environment for functioning of specific occupational groups in health care system. Does it lead to besieged fortress syndrome (meaning consolidation and mobilization of an own professional group, described as not guilty, but unfairly treated by inimical social/institutional surrounding)? In the paper – in the formula of case study – results of own survey among group of 151 physicians from Lodz and 228 students of Faculty of Military Medicine at Medical University of Lodz are investigated. The aim of the research was to identify opinions of physicians and medicine students on how medical occupations were perceived by Polish society. The collected empiric material allowed (at least partially) to verify the hypothesis of besieged fortress syndrome.