Editorial: In defence of patients

Title
Editorial: In defence of patients
Publication Date
2016
Author(s)
Jackson, Debra
Hutchinson, Marie
Wilson, Stacey
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1111/jocn.13273
UNE publication id
une:20933
Abstract
Over the years, there has been a continuing debate over how to refer to people in our care. The choice of title that we use is more than a semantic exercise. The words that we choose are powerful metaphors that convey meaning about how we conceive those in our care and our expectations. Language induces us to comprehend objects or people in distinct ways. For the person labelled through a title, the language chosen constructs an identity that conveys meaning about their attributes, status and relationship (McLaughlin 2009). Choosing a title also conveys to others our intentions and values. Moreover, language is not power-neutral. Titles are dominant discursive formations that reflect ideological process and convey and reinforce rules for thought and action (Fairclough 2001). The discursive power of words not only shapes social expectations and relationships, the power of words can also shape culture and material outcomes.
Link
Citation
Journal of Clinical Nursing, 25(9-10), p. 1177-1178
ISSN
1365-2702
0962-1067
Start page
1177
End page
1178

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