Winners and losers in rehabilitation – A window to study inequalities in the Danish Welfare State

There is a need for sociological research on the field of rehabilitation and inequalities in itself, and because, arguably, observed processes within this field can be generalized to others spheres of the modern health and social system. The aim of the proposed project is to contribute to empirical knowledge and theory-building about new types of challenges in the current organization of the welfare state and its institutions and professions. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or stroke poses a window to study this because it is a diagnosis which often affects a socially heterogeneous group and involves comprehensive injuries to the brain and body functions. This reduces patients’ abilities to draw on capitals in the rehabilitation process (Larsen 2003) and places a larger responsibility on relatives. Further, they are expected to have many years left in employment, and the process of returning to the job marked is a central part of the rehabilitation process (Bach 2006). Another challenge is that the citizen must establish a consistent and effective rehabilitation program across sectors, specialists and local authorities.