Thesis
Problematising palliative care : a ‘what’s the problem represented to be’ analysis of WHO guidelines
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T16895
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201886422
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated for the establishment of palliative care programs globally, emphasizing evidence-based, cost-effective, and equitable care with a focus on home-based and universal coverage. However, despite efforts, access to palliative care remains uneven, primarily favoring countries with higher resource levels. Critiques have emerged regarding the WHO's approach, suggesting that its standardized frameworks may not adequately address the diverse needs of individual nations. Aims and Objectives: This thesis critically examines the WHO guidelines supporting palliative care, aiming to uncover the underlying discourses shaping end-of-life care interventions. It questions how expert knowledge disseminated by the WHO mobilizes particular discourses for palliative care and aims to reveal how guidelines justify palliative care as a response to perceived 'problems.' Methods: Using the "What’s the Problem Represented to Be?" framework for policy discourse analysis, the research identifies two main strands of discourse within the WHO guidelines: one focusing on the quality of care for specific patient groups and the other addressing disparities in care provision. These strands are conceptualized as "healthcare inadequacy" and "healthcare capacity," respectively. Conclusions: The analysis reveals how these discourses are constructed and how they categorize countries, imposing limitations and subject positioning within guidelines. Importantly, it highlights the contingent nature of these interpretations, emphasizing the need to challenge dominant discourses and incorporate diverse sources of knowledge. The study underscores the importance of understanding the social and economic impact of palliative care implementation and advocates for a stronger connection between palliative care and social care. It calls for the WHO to embrace multiple approaches to palliative care and acknowledges the significance of questioning underlying assumptions in technical frameworks supporting palliative care.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Greener, Ian
- Paul, Sally
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relazioni
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PDF of thesis T16895 | 2024-04-30 | Pubblico | Scaricare |