Abstract
Changes in the contemporary professional world have affected different category of workers, including salaried employees and self-employed persons. This fact has led to major transformations in work organization and working conditions, making them even more precarious. Medical profession is not an exception and has been equally affected. The present study is based on a qualitative study that investigated the medical practice at the Unified Health System in Jaguariúna, a city in São Paulo state, Brazil. The data gathered show a marked decline of this professional activity due to the lack of work collective, professional identity weakness, and frustrated activity. These conditions result from the changes mentioned above. Among the major health problems associated with the aforementioned conditions are hypertension and common mental disorders.
Keywords:
Physicians; Occupational health; Unified health system