Fighting, battling, and beating: combat metaphors in medicine are just wrong
Eloquent riposte from Carolyn to the combative metaphors associated with chronic disease.
by Carolyn Thomas ♥ @HeartSisters
Are you “battling” heart disease”? Have you “beaten” cancer? Are you “fighting” a chronic illness? These wartime references are metaphors as described byDr. Jack Coulehan, a physician, an award-winning poet, and editor of the 5th edition of The Medical Interview: Mastering Skills for Clinical Practice, a best-selling textbook on the doctor-patient relationship.(1) Dr. C explains that there are several basic metaphors used in medicine that to a large extent generate the vocabulary of doctor-patient communication – but can also unintentionally objectify and dehumanize the patient.
Here are three of the most prominent metaphors you’re likely to encounter in health care:
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Thanks Marie for reposting my post on combat (and other!) metaphors! I found the comments in response to the original article especially interesting.
Happy Holidays to you and your readers…
kind regards,
C.
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It’s a marvellous read.. as always Carolyn!
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A friend died if breast cancer this week and I was amazed at how many people in their condolences write that she had “lost her battle” and she “fought hard” or “never gave up the fight” … It made me sad as she never used those words… Her every thought was to build memories for her two small boys… She wanted to teach them all she could because she knew she did not have long… She was realistic about her illness ..she hated it when people told her to be more positive or fight harder as it made her feel she was not doing enough… She was a gentle loving mother and wife who died from breast cancer … Too sad …
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So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Helen x
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