Deborah Rawlings1, Jennifer J Tieman2, Christine Sanderson1, Deborah Parker3, Lauren Miller-Lewis4. 1. CareSearch Research Fellow, Flinders University, Adelaide South Australia, Australia. 2. Associate Professor and CareSearch Director, Flinders University, Adelaide South Australia, Australia. 3. Professor of Nursing Aged Care (Dementia), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. 4. Research Associate CareSearch, Flinders University, Adelaide South Australia, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on death and dying was conducted to open the dialogue around death and dying. In one activity, participants were asked to engage with language and to think of alternative words (or euphemisms) that are used to describe death. AIM: To reflect from a nursing perspective how language enables and sometimes disguises important messages and conversations. METHODS: Four hundred and seventy one participants provided 3053 euphemisms. FINDINGS: Euphemisms were varied, with many providing commentary on their purpose and use. DISCUSSION: As a society we have become quite creative in the use of euphemisms, but need to be mindful of misunderstandings and misinterpretations which can cause embarrassment and distress in clinical situations. CONCLUSION: This paper describes some of the euphemisms that were provided, examining why they are used and how their use can be easily misconstrued in daily life and in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on death and dying was conducted to open the dialogue around death and dying. In one activity, participants were asked to engage with language and to think of alternative words (or euphemisms) that are used to describe death. AIM: To reflect from a nursing perspective how language enables and sometimes disguises important messages and conversations. METHODS: Four hundred and seventy one participants provided 3053 euphemisms. FINDINGS: Euphemisms were varied, with many providing commentary on their purpose and use. DISCUSSION: As a society we have become quite creative in the use of euphemisms, but need to be mindful of misunderstandings and misinterpretations which can cause embarrassment and distress in clinical situations. CONCLUSION: This paper describes some of the euphemisms that were provided, examining why they are used and how their use can be easily misconstrued in daily life and in clinical practice.
Authors: Lauren R Miller-Lewis; Trent W Lewis; Jennifer Tieman; Deb Rawlings; Deborah Parker; Christine R Sanderson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 3.240