'A fragment of the explanation': the use and abuse of words. Issue 2 (1st December 2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heath, Iona
• Is Part Of: Medical humanities. Volume 27:Issue 2(2001)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2001-12-01
• Subjects: Language -- story -- memory -- uncertainty -- power; Medicine and the humanities -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 616.1
• DOI: 10.1136/mh.27.2.64
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-215X

Abstract

Abstract : This paper explores the normative basis of power in language, story, labels and evidence, and attempts to show how these dimensions of power are used systematically to simplify the reality of exprience, deny ignorance and exclude uncertainty. Through the resulting abuse of words, doctors may often constrain and limit their patients' stories, consigning many of them to stories of failure, and reducing their capacity to celebrate, or even recognise, achievement.