Inspiring change: humanities and social science insights into the experience and management of breathlessness

Oxley, R.; Macnaughton, J.

doi:10.1097/spc.0000000000000221

Inspiring change: humanities and social science insights into the experience and management of breathlessness

Oxley, R.; Macnaughton, J.

Authors

R. Oxley

Professor Jane Macnaughton jane.macnaughton@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

Purpose of review: Breathlessness can be debilitating for those with chronic conditions, requiring continual management. Yet, the meaning of breathlessness for those who live with it is poorly understood in respect of its subjective, cultural, and experiential significance. This article discusses a number of current issues in understanding the experience of breathlessness. Recent findings: Effective communication concerning the experience of breathlessness is crucial for diagnosis, to identify appropriate treatment, and to provide patients with the capacity to self-manage their condition. However, there is an evident disconnect between the way breathlessness is understood between clinical and lay perspectives, in terms of awareness of breathlessness, the way symptoms are expressed, and acknowledgement of how it affects the daily lives of patients. Summary: The review highlights the need for integrated multidisciplinary work on breathlessness, and suggests that effective understanding and management of breathlessness considers its wider subjective and social significance.

Citation

Oxley, R., & Macnaughton, J. (2016). Inspiring change: humanities and social science insights into the experience and management of breathlessness. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 10(3), 256-261. https://doi.org/10.1097/spc.0000000000000221

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Aug 6, 2016
Online Publication Date	Sep 1, 2016
Publication Date	Sep 1, 2016
Deposit Date	Sep 9, 2016
Publicly Available Date	Sep 9, 2016
Journal	Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Print ISSN	1751-4258
Electronic ISSN	1751-4266
Publisher	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	10
Issue	3
Pages	256-261
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1097/spc.0000000000000221

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Copyright Statement
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.