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'Comfortable' conversation : nurse-patient communication in the cancer care context

'Comfortable' conversation : nurse-patient communication in the cancer care context
'Comfortable' conversation : nurse-patient communication in the cancer care context

This research examines nurse-patient communication in the context of cancer care. Four hospital locations where patients with cancer receive in- and out-patient radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and/or the treatment of associated side effects and symptoms are investigated.

The overall research approach is influenced by ethnomethodology and the study of institutional interaction. Data collection is by semi-participant observation, in-depth interviewing, and audio-tape-recording nurse-patient conversations. Data comprises 56 interviews with 50 participants (n=26 patients, n=22 nurses, and n=2 relatives); 412 hours of observation; and nine nurse-patient conversations (mean length of 29.5 minutes). Analyses are by qualitative content-account analysis and the micro-analysis of talk.

Results cluster around four main themes termed 'relationship', 'helping', 'knowledge' and 'optimism'. These are viewed as institutional 'realities' for participants both constraining and being sustained within nurse-patient talk. Some of the available ethnomethods which construct these institutional 'realities' are identified and illustrated. These ethnomethods take two forms. Institutional and everyday discourses are drawn upon by members to explain and understand participants' actions. Events of talk-in-interaction are the means or ways of doing these features of nurse-patient conversation.

It is concluded that nurse-patient communication examined within this exploratory work is 'comfortable'. It involves the avoidance of potentially different or embarrassing encounters and searching for, displaying and dealing with the relationship, helping, knowledge and optimism. Comfortable conversation is viewed as a locally situated achievement. It is accomplished by the activity and collaborative work of both nurses and patients. Patients' activity and contribution to nurse-patient communication, sometimes neglected or portrayed as passive in previous work, is highlighted.

University of Southampton
Jarrett, Nicola Jane
95862545-d48d-4894-9dc8-b2631100bc54
Jarrett, Nicola Jane
95862545-d48d-4894-9dc8-b2631100bc54

Jarrett, Nicola Jane (1996) 'Comfortable' conversation : nurse-patient communication in the cancer care context. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This research examines nurse-patient communication in the context of cancer care. Four hospital locations where patients with cancer receive in- and out-patient radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and/or the treatment of associated side effects and symptoms are investigated.

The overall research approach is influenced by ethnomethodology and the study of institutional interaction. Data collection is by semi-participant observation, in-depth interviewing, and audio-tape-recording nurse-patient conversations. Data comprises 56 interviews with 50 participants (n=26 patients, n=22 nurses, and n=2 relatives); 412 hours of observation; and nine nurse-patient conversations (mean length of 29.5 minutes). Analyses are by qualitative content-account analysis and the micro-analysis of talk.

Results cluster around four main themes termed 'relationship', 'helping', 'knowledge' and 'optimism'. These are viewed as institutional 'realities' for participants both constraining and being sustained within nurse-patient talk. Some of the available ethnomethods which construct these institutional 'realities' are identified and illustrated. These ethnomethods take two forms. Institutional and everyday discourses are drawn upon by members to explain and understand participants' actions. Events of talk-in-interaction are the means or ways of doing these features of nurse-patient conversation.

It is concluded that nurse-patient communication examined within this exploratory work is 'comfortable'. It involves the avoidance of potentially different or embarrassing encounters and searching for, displaying and dealing with the relationship, helping, knowledge and optimism. Comfortable conversation is viewed as a locally situated achievement. It is accomplished by the activity and collaborative work of both nurses and patients. Patients' activity and contribution to nurse-patient communication, sometimes neglected or portrayed as passive in previous work, is highlighted.

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Published date: 1996

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Local EPrints ID: 460258
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/460258
PURE UUID: 180f01fc-df65-4162-a0dd-3ee23d6dfc96

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:17
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 18:37

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Author: Nicola Jane Jarrett

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