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Registered Nurses' Understanding of Truth-Telling as Practiced in the Nursing-Home
An Australian perspective
Anthony G Tuckett
School of Nursing, The University of Queensland, QLD
Abstract
This article draws on an Australian research study using multiple qualitative methods to investigate 'truth-telling' in aged-care.
Registered nurses understand truth-telling to be an instrumental practice in which information should be used as a means to avoid harm. The worth of truthfulness is therefore measured by its outcome(s). Truth-telling in nursing practice in the aged-care setting is primarily partial, edited, and stratal, and premised on 'easing' (harm avoidance) and 'omitting' (omission of detail). Moreover, truth-telling is premised on the view that residents' families will be harmed by full disclosure and do not want, or need, bad news.
Truth-telling in practice, underpinned by benevolent protectionism, means that non-disclosure aims to reduce the burden of harm(s). The practice of truth-omission however, contrasts with findings from other studies which suggest full-disclosure is beneficial to both patients and their relatives.
Keywords
truth-telling, nurse, nursing-home, aged-care, constructionism, sociology
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