On the reception of narrative theory and analyses in the field of palliative care research: review of empirical literature

• Background: Narrative analyses have substantially developed interdisciplinary in several fields during the last decades. In this review we focus on how narratives have been used in the field of palliative care research. Aim: To review how narratives have been used in palliative care research. Methods: The databases PubMed, CINAHL and PsychInfo were used. Search terms were palliative care, terminal care and hospice care in combination with narratives, narrations or storytelling. Theoretical studies and discussion papers were excluded. Results: The majority of the literature that deals with narratives in palliative care research has been published within the last five years. The analysis showed two overlapping fields of application of narratives. The first and most common, comprised studies utilizing narratives as a delimited research tool for data collection, using different forms of narrative interviews without combination of narrative analysis. The second field of application was utilizing narrative designs and analyses which either was performed for pure methodological purposes or combined with theoretical purposes. In the latter case implicitly or explicitly assuming narratives to be an inherent character of practice making narrative inquires significant in order to improve such as communication, personal skills and ethics in palliative care. Discussion: A reception of narratives is clearly recognized in the in the field of palliative care research. However the most common use of narratives was means for data collection. Utilization of narrative designs and analyses are more limited in palliative care research.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

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