[The diagnostic communication of keratoconus and its influence on the social representation that the patient has of his/her illness].

Purpose: To analyze the influence of diagnostic and prognostic communication and the awareness and affectivity of the patient with keratoconus and to verify the possible modifications in the social representation that the individual has of the disease, of himself and of his life.

Methods: The sample was consisted of 44 subjects, both genders, aged 13 to 53 years, with diagnosis of keratoconus who agreed to participate in this study. The study was carried out at the "Hospital das Clínicas", University of São Paulo Medical School, and at the "Hospital de Olhos Sadalla Amin Ghanem" (Eye Hospital), in Joinville, state of Santa Catarina.

[Psychological meaning of words related to health by faculties of psychology and nursing schools].

Faculty's answers to the D. S. were studied, in order to relate them to common and especial educational goals as to the difference and similarities observed.