Discourse analysis is a qualitative method that helps the understanding of social interactions and the evaluation of individuals'use of language. Not only what one says but also the way one says something about a wide range of topics is really important. Discourse analysis involves an analytical technique to understand a context and has also to do with intonation of the speech which offers ways of investigating meanings.
Bereavement follow-up by health professionals is recognised as an important component of care and has been identified as an indicator of quality care by families and nurses. The substantial psychological burden associated with deaths/losses has promoted many centers to initiate formalised BFU programmes to improve continuity of care to bereaved families. Grace McConnell, Megan Aston,Pat Randel and Nic Zwaagstra,Nurses' experiences providing bereavement follow up, 12 May 2012
Discourse analysis was used in this study to help us understand the personal and social aspects of BFU through a focus on language, practices, beliefs and values. 8 registered nurses with experience were interviewed. They revealed complexed interactions between themselves, the families, social norms and professionalism.
Topics emerged:
- discourse on death(many people don't want to talk about death and feel unconfortable when interacting with people who are grieving)
- the importance of relationship between the nurse and the family(including trust, compassion, supportive communication and emotion)
- taking care of self and "closure"(how nurses address the family's emotions and how they attend to their own emotions
- conflicting discourses, boundaries and invisible work(nurses experience two different discourses;personal and professional but their work is invisible to administration)
Despite the fact that only 8 nurses were interviewed,which may pose a problem of reliability, this study made me understand that relations are influenced by beliefs and practices within culture,nursing and hospital settings and that psychological aspects must be taken into consideration by health professionals in unpleasant situations. It's not only the strict medical process that counts. It is very important that bereavement work is viewed as significant by the nurses interviewed and an important component of care provided to families. But, finally, the stories told by the nurses pinpoint the need for further legitimacy of BFU and that although the communication with bereaved families can be challenging and intinidating, still little education or training is offered to the nurses in terms of relative life issues especially in the area of pediatrics.
