1
|
Watts J, Ekberg S, Bluebond-Langner M, Langner R, Fleming S, Danby S, Ekberg K, Yates P, Bradford N, Delaney A, Herbert A. Questions directed to children with diverse communicative competencies in paediatric healthcare consultations. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 121:108103. [PMID: 38151429 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This paper examines question-response sequences, in which clinicians asked questions to child patients who appear to interact using means other than the verbal mode of communication. METHODS Conversation Analysis methods were used to study questions in 46 paediatric palliative care consultations. These questions were directed towards children who observably used vocalisations and embodied modes of communication (e.g., gaze, gesture and facial expressions) but did not appear to use the verbal mode. RESULTS Most questions asked children either about their willingness and preferences for a proposed next activity, or their current feelings, experiences or intentions. Questions involved children by foregrounding their preferences and feelings. These questions occasioned contexts where the child's vocal or embodied conduct could be treated as a relevant response. CONCLUSION This paper demonstrates how questions are used to involve children in consultations about their own healthcare, and how their views come to be understood by clinicians and family members, even when children interact using means other than the verbal mode of communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Questions can be asked of both children who do and do not verbally communicate. When asking questions, clinicians should be mindful of the modes of communication an individual child uses to consider how the child might meaningfully respond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Watts
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Stuart Ekberg
- School of Psychology & Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Myra Bluebond-Langner
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard Langner
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | - Susan Danby
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katie Ekberg
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Patsy Yates
- Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie Bradford
- Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Angela Delaney
- Paediatric Palliative Care Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony Herbert
- Paediatric Palliative Care Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|