Citation

Alex M, Whitty-Rogers J, Panagopoulos W. ANS Adv. Nurs. Sci. 2013; 36(3): 229-242.

Affiliation

School of Nursing, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/ANS.0b013e31829edcf3

PMID

23907304

Abstract

Language used in health care, particularly with vulnerable populations such as those with mental illness, is often violent, rising from historical prejudices and politics of power over others. This creates disharmony and distrust between health care providers and patients and families. Peace involves relationships that nurture ongoing harmony, trust, and constructive solutions. In this descriptive philosophical article, we discuss connections between and among the concepts of peace, health, relational ethics, in relation to nurses' responsibilities, current health care realities, and the language of nursing. We propose a shift in discourse within nurse-patient relationships from oppressive and stigmatizing language to the discourse of peace.

Language: en