By focusing on the activity, this research aims to understand the process through which the subject constructs his experience by re-developing his “activity habits”. By analyzing the activities of a number of occupational health physicians during their consultations with patients (who are business employees), we may hypothesize that the dialogue which unfolds between the physicians and the patients is a means for physicians to take preventative action and to connect with others. By mobilising J. Dewey’s theory of the “inquiry”, we show how these physicians may transform the habits that orient their action when they are confronted with a situation that is insufficiently determined. We think that these transformations take place in and through actions, constituting
Construction of the experience and silent transformation of action orientation habits : a case study of the dialogue activities of occupational health physicians