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Interpretation of nonvocal behavior and the meaning of voicelessness in critical care

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  • Happ, Mary Beth

Abstract

This paper presents two interrelated psychosocial constructs, voicelessness and interpretation, which were derived from a participant observation study of critically ill older adults in the USA. Voicelessness occurs when physiological, psychosocial and/or technological barriers limit the abilities of critically ill patients to represent their thoughts, feelings, desires and needs fully to others. Voicelessness influences not only the responses of critically ill patients to their condition, environment and caregivers, but also profoundly effects the responses of family members and clinicians. Thus, communicative interactions as well as certain clinical and treatment decisions in ICU hinge on clinician and family member interpretation of patients' nonvocal behaviors. Conditions and factors contributing to interpretation are described and a hypothesis proposed, that interpretation mitigates the detrimental effects of voicelessness.

Suggested Citation

  • Happ, Mary Beth, 2000. "Interpretation of nonvocal behavior and the meaning of voicelessness in critical care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(9), pages 1247-1255, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:50:y:2000:i:9:p:1247-1255
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    Cited by:

    1. Hirano, Yuko Mandai & Yamazaki, Yoshihiko & Shimizu, Junichi & Togari, Taisuke & Bryce, Thomas James, 2006. "Ventilator dependence and expressions of need: A study of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Japan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(6), pages 1403-1413, March.

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