"Perché diventino i dottori di loro stessi" : le transizioni mediche e d'età nei percorsi di cura dell'asma cronico

Drawing on empirical findings of a study on young asthmatic patients, the article explores how MD interpret and define successful medical pathways of transition to adult care. How do doctors construct this transition for young chronic patients? When is a patient considered autonomous enough to be defined as an adult patient? What impact do age categories have on medical professionals' practices? In addressing these questions, the text also analyses the role of professional relationships among doctors in shaping the meanings attributed to the autonomy of the young patients. [Publisher's text]