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Act Like It Hurts: Questions of Role and Authenticity in the Communication of Chronic Pain

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Painscapes

Abstract

The processes that make successful human-to-human interactions in healthcare consultations are poorly understood. Using the lenses of performance and culture, this chapter explores the significance of role and authenticity in the communication of chronic pain. It sets out to better understand some challenges created by cultural archetypes and their associated tropes. It examines the culturally naturalised roles of Doctor and Patient. It concludes that we need to find new ways of telling stories about chronic conditions and in order to enable the feeling of safety that facilitates healing and flourishing.

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Notes

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    As philosopher Roland Barthes suggested, any story or idea that sustains a dominant ideology is naturalised. Barthes, R. Mythologies (Paris: Editions du Seuil, 1957).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Sarah Goldingay

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  1. Sarah Goldingay
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    EJ Gonzalez-Polledo

  2. London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom

    Jen Tarr

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Goldingay, S. (2018). Act Like It Hurts: Questions of Role and Authenticity in the Communication of Chronic Pain. In: Gonzalez-Polledo, E., Tarr, J. (eds) Painscapes. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95272-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95272-4_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-95271-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-95272-4

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