6533b870fe1ef96bd12cfa28

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Importance of “Empty Gestures” in Recovery: Being Human Together

Astrid Skatvedt

subject

Value (ethics)050402 sociologySociology and Political ScienceSocial PsychologyCommunicationAddictionmedia_common.quotation_subject05 social sciencesGeneral Social SciencesIdentity (social science)Mental healthEducation03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicine0504 sociologyEthnography030212 general & internal medicineTreasurePsychologyInclusion (education)Social psychologyGeneral NursingGesturemedia_common

description

What do clients/patients want or value from their encounters with healthcare providers? Based on ethnographic research conducted with individuals suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues, this article argues that clients/patients treasure “everyday” or “human” interaction with medical staff. Everydayness is accomplished through three generic social processes: **co-silence, inclusion in back-stage activity, and physical dramatizations of authenticity. These processes and other ordinary interactional strategies for “being human together” should be seen as vital tools for recovery.

https://doi.org/10.1002/symb.291