Title |
The Troubles of Telling
|
---|---|
Published in |
Qualitative Health Research, January 2014
|
DOI | 10.1177/1049732313519709 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Alex Broom, Emma Kirby, Phillip Good, Julia Wootton, Jon Adams |
Abstract |
Communication about palliative care represents one of the most difficult interpersonal aspects of medicine. Delivering the "terminal" diagnosis has traditionally been the focus of research, yet transitions to specialist palliative care are equally critical clinical moments. Here we focus on 20 medical specialists' strategies for engaging patients around referral to specialist palliative care. Our aim was to develop an understanding of the logics that underpin their communication strategies when negotiating this transition. We draw on qualitative interviews to explore their accounts of deciding whether and when to engage in referral discussions; the role of uncertainty and the need for hope in shaping communication; and their perceptions of how patient biographies might shape their approaches to, and communication about, the end of life. On the basis of our analysis, we argue that communication is embedded in social relations of hope, justice, and uncertainty, as well as being shaped by patient biographies. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 6 | 43% |
Australia | 3 | 21% |
Denmark | 1 | 7% |
United States | 1 | 7% |
Netherlands | 1 | 7% |
Unknown | 2 | 14% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 8 | 57% |
Scientists | 4 | 29% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 14% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Spain | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 52 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 10 | 19% |
Researcher | 9 | 17% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 7 | 13% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 6 | 11% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 11% |
Other | 11 | 21% |
Unknown | 4 | 8% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Nursing and Health Professions | 12 | 23% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 12 | 23% |
Social Sciences | 10 | 19% |
Psychology | 6 | 11% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 2 | 4% |
Other | 3 | 6% |
Unknown | 8 | 15% |