Language, discourse and meaning in palliative medicine

Authors: O'Connor, Margaret¹; Davis, Mellar²; Abernethy, Amy³

Source: Progress in Palliative Care, Volume 18, Number 2, April 2010 , pp. 66-71(6)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

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Abstract:

Language is used to achieve different outcomes. Discourse constructs social entities by words chosen and shared language. Patterns of discourse carry particular power relations. Language shows the influence of modernity on our view of death and dying. The multiple definitions of palliative care indicate different care models across services and different groups of individuals who qualify for services. Words chosen by palliative specialists may confuse the public. Palliative care language can separate or confuse people about the reality of palliative care and be exclusionary to other specialties who work outside the field. Certain phrases may be depersonalizing or reflect a hierarchy in types of treatment valued by individuals. Great care is needed in choosing words to describe palliative care, since words incarnate the service.

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Keywords: LANGUAGE; DISCOURSE; PALLIATIVE CARE

Document Type: Editorial

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/096992610X12624290276421

Affiliations: 1: President Palliative Care Australia, Vivian Bullwinkel Chair in Palliative Care Nursing, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, PO Box 527, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia;, Email: margaret.oconnor@med.monash.edu.au 2: The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 3: Duke Cancer Care Research Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA

Publication date: 2010-04-01

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