Abstract
M.A.
This study explores the narratives of two South African women, who have previously been admitted as patients, to various psychiatric institutions in Gauteng. In particular, this study focuses on the women’s perceptions of the ward round process, within the context of hospitalisation.
An attempt has been made to explore the wider context of the ward round and hospitalisation, by examining the medical model, its philosophy and the various problems associated with the medical model. The concepts of power, respect and pathologising discourse in particular, are focussed on.
The study suggests that an ecosystemic model might serve as a useful alternative to the medical model in addressing the above-mentioned problems.
This research was conducted in the form of an inquiry, within the context of a social constructionist perspective. As such, the research methodology employed is also based within the social constructionist paradigm.
The themes raised in the conversations with the participants, are seen to be a social co-construction, which has evolved between the researcher and the participants. The social constructionist approach also means that the researcher has applied a reflexive stance, whereby narratives of the participants and the researcher, are linked to a reflection of the content and the various processes that took place within the context of the research.
The narratives of the participants suggest that ward rounds are seen to be useful and necessary, but that within the context of the ward round, issues such as respect and transparency are important and should be taken into account. It is stressed within the context of this research, that these findings are localised and specific. As such they can not necessarily be seen to reflect the ‘truths’ of all people, who have experienced the process of ward rounds within the context of hospitalisation.