Wholetruth, untruths and lies: A two stage ethnographic study (Vers 2)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Wholetruth, untruths and lies: A two stage ethnographic study of communicative interaction between professional caregivers and people with dementia.
IRAS ID
227508
Contact name
Jane Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Currently there is no evidence to support the term ‘therapeutic’ in relation to lie telling, as patient response to untruthful communication has not been observed or recorded in a formalised manner. Day et al (2011) highlighted that this was likely to be a useful and productive area for future research. This study will be adding new knowledge to a currently limited evidence base for what is a regularly used form of communication (James et al. 2006).\nThere is no generally accepted definition of what constitutes lies or deception in the care of people with dementia (Tuckett, 2012). Many terms are regularly used when the whole truth is not being told; therapeutic lie, intentional deception (Wilson, 2003), benevolent deception (Watt, 2008). Blum (1994) refers to not telling or omission of truth, white lie, deferring to a higher or outside authority, tricks, deception, collusion or environmental lie. More recently the term ‘untruth’ and ‘non-truth’ has also been used (Truth Inquiry Panel Report 2017).\nIn the study, the researcher will work overtly as a staff nurse, operating as a participant observer, documenting interactions between professional carers and patients, that represent untruths or lies. (All documentation of data will be done away from patient areas so as not to cause distress). A taxonomy from whole truth, through untruth to lies will then be created which will be used as a basis for the second part of the study. \n The results of this study will inform a second study will look at how the range of lies and untruths (as defined by the taxonomy) actually influences and affects the person being lied to or deceived, and how they experience the interaction. The second study will submit a separate ethics and IRAS application.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0054
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion