Archetypes of incomplete stories in chronic illness medical encounters

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 117; p. 107973
• Main Authors: Koopman, Wilma J., LaDonna, KA, Kinsella, EA, Venance, SL, Watling, CJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Chronic disease; Grounded Theory; Health encounters; Patients; Practitioners; Practitioners; Health encounters; Chronic disease; Patients; Grounded Theory
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107973

During encounters, patients and practitioners engage in conversations to address health concerns. Because these interactions are time-pressured events, it may be inevitable that any story exchanged during these encounters will be incomplete in some way, potentially jeopardizing how quality and safety of care is delivered. In this study, we explored how and why incomplete stories might arise in health interactions. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was used to explore how patients and practitioners approach their interactions during encounters. In this two-phase study, we interviewed patients (n = 21) then practitioners (n = 12). We identified three distinct archetypes of incomplete storytelling - the hidden story, the interpreted story, and the tailored story. Measured information sharing, triadic encounters and pre-planned agendas influenced these storylines, respectively. Both patient and practitioner participants focused on what each considered important, appropriate, and useful for productive encounters. While incomplete stories may be a reality, educating practitioners about how incomplete stories come about from both sides of the conversation creates new opportunities to optimize interactions at medical encounters for in-depth patient practitioner storytelling. •I expect this is not applicable with a new submission. Should I be incorrect, please advise.•I confirm all patient/personal identifiers have been removed or disguised so the patient/person(s)•described are not identifiable and cannot be identified through the details of the story.