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Researching death: some reflections on life

Researching death: some reflections on life Purpose – The paper seeks to make reflections on some ethnographic work undertaken with dying patients. The reflections cover the practical and social implications of carrying out this work but, also the emotional impact it had on the author. Design/methodology/approach – Although this paper is a viewpoint paper, the verbatim quotes and observations are taken from an ethnographic review of end of life services in one London borough in 2009. Findings – The main findings are to consider the use of open‐minded, independent researchers to undertake reviews and assessments, even if it does seem outside their area of “expertise”. This is because their impartiality from the area may be beneficial. Second, the paper suggests that multi‐agency “politics” can be detrimental with regard to commissioning work which directly informs policy. Last, the paper appeals for there to be greater consideration of ways of allowing frontline workers to listen to patients' and carers' concerns about death and dying. Originality/value – As far as the author can see, there has been little work which has made practical, social and emotional reflections on the area of death and dying. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Quality in Ageing and Older Adults Emerald Publishing

Researching death: some reflections on life

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults , Volume 12 (4): 5 – Dec 9, 2011

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1471-7794
DOI
10.1108/14717791111191153
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The paper seeks to make reflections on some ethnographic work undertaken with dying patients. The reflections cover the practical and social implications of carrying out this work but, also the emotional impact it had on the author. Design/methodology/approach – Although this paper is a viewpoint paper, the verbatim quotes and observations are taken from an ethnographic review of end of life services in one London borough in 2009. Findings – The main findings are to consider the use of open‐minded, independent researchers to undertake reviews and assessments, even if it does seem outside their area of “expertise”. This is because their impartiality from the area may be beneficial. Second, the paper suggests that multi‐agency “politics” can be detrimental with regard to commissioning work which directly informs policy. Last, the paper appeals for there to be greater consideration of ways of allowing frontline workers to listen to patients' and carers' concerns about death and dying. Originality/value – As far as the author can see, there has been little work which has made practical, social and emotional reflections on the area of death and dying.

Journal

Quality in Ageing and Older AdultsEmerald Publishing

Published: Dec 9, 2011

Keywords: Death; Dying; Research; Emotional impact; Reflexivity

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