Discourse analysis is the study of language, including spoken, written and non-verbal, and its uses, to understand culture and social life. It is about studying the meaning behind what is said.
Fenwick, J., et al. (2012). We only talk about breastfeeding: A discourse analysis of infant feeding messages in antennal group-based education. Midwifery
This study used discourse analysis to examine the main ways in which midwives presented information on breastfeeding in antenatal classes and discuss the impact this could have on breastfeeding duration.
Nine antenatal sessions were observed and recorded, revealing four main discourses; ‘there is only one feeding option: breastfeeding’, ‘breast is best’, infants are ‘hard wired’ to breastfeed and male partners are ‘protectors’ of breastfeeding.
The study found that while midwives were passionate and enthusiastic about breastfeeding education, the aim of most communication was to convince women to breastfeed, rather than encouraging conversations about the experience of breastfeeding, or any discussion about women’s opinion of bottle-feeding. It concluded that midwives need to acknowledge the social, emotional and individual nature of infant feeding decisions.
This study helped me understand the importance of language in interactions between health professionals and patients. It also highlighted how important it is for health professionals to allow conversation and discussion so that patients are able to give their opinions as well as asking questions, rather than just telling patients what is right and expecting them to follow-through based on that information.
