Gaining insight into the care of hospitalized dying patients: An interpretative narrative analysis

Joseph J. Fins, Rebecca Schwager Guest, Cathleen A. Acres

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Narrative ethics is a useful tool for gaining insight into the care of hospitalized dying patients. We used narrative analysis to interpret the medical records of 200 adult deaths at our institution. Prominent subjects which emerged from this review include documentation of care; relationships between patients, families and clinicians; and the influence of time, uncertainty, ambiguity, resource allocation, and spirituality on the course of care. Research on narratives can help script more empathic and compassionate care of the dying by demonstrating that every death is a story waiting to be told. Copyright (C) 2000 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)399-407
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • End-of-life decisions
  • Medical anthropology
  • Narrative ethics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology
  • Nursing(all)

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