Hard stories in the workplace

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Konrad, Shelley Cohen

Affiliations: University of New England, College of Health Professions, School of Social Work, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME 04103, USA. Tel.: +1 207 221 4501; Fax: +1 207 221 7225; E-mail: scohenkonrad@une.edu

Abstract: Relationships between family caregivers and professional health care providers typically begin during an intensely painful and stressful time. This article examines the literature on professional attitude and response to suffering with particular emphasis on how exposure to hard stories affects the development and quality of alliances with family caregivers. First person accounts from a qualitative, phenomenological study conducted with mothers of children with acquired physical disabilities are used to illustrate the perspectives of caregivers and the qualities they identify as contributing to competent, meaningful, and mutual relationships that allow for bearing witness to hard stories.

Keywords: Suffering, disability, chronic illness, caregivers

Journal: Work, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 371-378, 2007