[Psychological characteristics of the personality and the attitude to work of patients subjected to surgery on account of rheumatic heart disease].

The authors studied the psychological peculiarities of personality, attitude towards the disease and orientation for work in 124 patients operated on in connection with rheumatic heart disease. The psychological peculiarities of personality were examined by means of a 16-factor questionnaire suggested by Kettell and the type of attitude towards the disease by a questionnaire prepared by the V. M. Bechterew's Institute, orientation for work--by means of a specially compiled questionnaire. It has been established that the type of attitude towards the disease is determined by psychological peculiarities of personality, it exerts influence on orientation for work. This should be taken into consideration when conducting rehabilitation measures in patients with rheumatic heart disease after the operation on the heart.