title: Metaphors and medication: understanding medication use by seniors in everyday life.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of metaphor by independent seniors taking medication for chronic health conditions. Narratives from a larger study using grounded theory were analyzed using constant comparative analysis and induction. A secondary analysis of the narratives of 21 participants was undertaken. Transcripts were read line-by-line and all relevant language was highlighted and reviewed with the aim of identifying relationships and themes. The narratives revealed a diverse range of metaphoric language. Four categories were identified: being shackled, hope, external authority, and communication fears. Three additional themes were interwoven into the narratives: aging and death, medication personified, and the body as object. The authors conclude that metaphor reveals the tension and unresolved dilemmas faced by seniors with regard to medication use.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Rosanne E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Beuthin
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holroyd
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vegsund
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019365:Metaphor; D033262:Narration; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000451:nursing*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012646:Self Administration / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept