The postmodern heart: a discourse analysis of a booklet on pacemaker implantation.

Full Abstract

This paper provides a deconstructive reading of an education booklet aimed at patients who may be scheduled for permanent cardiac pacemakers, and argues that pacemaker implantation is being constructed as a routine, uncomplicated procedure. The way language and image in the booklet convey a dominant preferred perspective on pacemaker implantation will be questioned. Some of the major issues explored are:
the patient is stereotyped as a male patriarch; the fundamental right of informed choice is omitted; the ownership of decision-making is given to the physician; and the cardiac pacemaker is portrayed as remarkable and trouble-free. Implications for the meaning of these dominant perspectives for nursing practice are explored.

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Author information

Author/s: Anderson, Carole (C); McAllister, Margaret (M); Moyle, Wendy (W);

Affiliation: School of Nursing, Griffith University. c.anderson(-atsign-)mailbox.gu.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Collegian (Royal College of Nursing, Australia) (Collegian), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jan; vol 9 (issue 1) : pp 19-23

Dates: Created 2002/03/14; Completed 2002/07/03; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 11893113, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Australia
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male

Nurse's Role
Pacemaker, Artificial
Patient Education as Topic - methods
Sensitivity and Specificity
Teaching Materials

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