Prognostic Interpellation and the Violence of Hailing

• In Event: 343 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Clinical Decision Making

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the opinions and attitudes of oncologists regarding prognostic and end-of-life conversations with patients who have advanced cancer. This study used a grounded theory framework and semi-structured interviews. 17 physicians board certified in medical oncology were recruited from two hospitals in major US cities. This essay offers a theoretical intervention into the concept of end-of-life conversations by applying the concept of interpellation to prognosis as well as describing physician beliefs around the violence in prognostic discussions. I apply Althusser’s concept of interpellation which has been previously applied to certain aspects of medical care and apply it to the concept of prognostication, the social through which physicians help patients reshape their understanding of the probable disease and treatment trajectory. I go on to explore the concept of this interpellative hailing and the deep reservations physicians feel towards this process.

Author

• Jennifer Elyse James, University of California-San Francisco