"A Shell of My Former Self": Using Figurative Language to Promote Communication About Patient Suffering

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Psychology
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• The relief of suffering is a core medical goal, yet it is frequently overlooked in clinical settings.
• This oversight stems from a focus on the causes of suffering rather than the patient's subjective experience.
• The inherent difficulty in discussing subjective experiences further complicates addressing suffering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze figurative language in literature to identify recurring themes of psychological suffering.
• To develop a shared language that can aid clinicians in recognizing and addressing patient suffering.
• To enhance the therapeutic patient-clinician relationship by improving communication about suffering.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative analysis was performed on 52 relevant literary works.
• Figurative language excerpts characterizing psychological suffering were identified and categorized.
• Recurring themes were systematically identified from 254 identified excerpts.

Main Results:

• Thirteen salient themes of psychological suffering were identified.
• These themes include: brokenness, diminishment, disorientation, drowning, emptiness, imprisonment, battle, darkness, isolation, invisibility, lifelessness, punishment, and torture.
• The identified themes provide a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of psychological suffering.

Conclusions:

• A shared language for psychological suffering, derived from literary analysis, can improve clinical practice.
• Recognizing and addressing the patient's experience of suffering is crucial for effective medical care.
• Developing this linguistic framework can foster better patient-clinician relationships and more compassionate care.