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A diagnostic illusory? The case of distinguishing between “vegetative” and “minimally conscious” states

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  • Nettleton, Sarah
  • Kitzinger, Jenny
  • Kitzinger, Celia

Abstract

Throughout affluent societies there are growing numbers of people who survive severe brain injuries only to be left with long-term chronic disorders of consciousness. This patient group who exist betwixt and between life and death are variously diagnosed as in ‘comatose’, ‘vegetative’, and, more recently, ‘minimally conscious’ states. Drawing on a nascent body of sociological work in this field and developments in the sociology of diagnosis in concert with Bauman's thesis of ‘ambivalence’ and Turner's work on ‘liminality’, this article proposes a concept we label as diagnostic illusory in order to capture the ambiguities, nuanced complexities and tensions that the biomedical imperative to name and classify these patients give rise to. Our concept emerged through a reading of debates within medical journals alongside an analysis of qualitative data generated by way of a study of accounts of those close to patients: primarily relatives (N = 51); neurologists (N = 4); lawyers (N = 2); and others (N = 5) involved in their health care in the UK.

Suggested Citation

  • Nettleton, Sarah & Kitzinger, Jenny & Kitzinger, Celia, 2014. "A diagnostic illusory? The case of distinguishing between “vegetative” and “minimally conscious” states," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 134-141.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:116:y:2014:i:c:p:134-141
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.06.036
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    1. Racine, Eric & Waldman, Sarah & Rosenberg, Jarett & Illes, Judy, 2010. "Contemporary neuroscience in the media," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(4), pages 725-733, August.
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    3. Giacomini, Mita, 1997. "A change of heart and a change of mind? Technology and the redefinition of death in 1968," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(10), pages 1465-1482, May.
    4. Jutel, Annemarie & Nettleton, Sarah, 2011. "Towards a sociology of diagnosis: Reflections and opportunities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(6), pages 793-800, September.
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