Literary Detachment for Politeness and Effective Communication in Healthcare Services

This paper interrogates the role of literature in facilitating effectiveness of communication in the healthcare sector. In this very crucial sector where performance in a matter of life and death, any constructive effort towards its improvement in service delivery is highly encouraged. The paper contributes by presenting a literary perspective of how effectiveness in healthcare communication is achieved. The paper introduces literary detachment as a product of cultural aesthetics which interlocutors in the healthcare services use to achieve politeness which enhances effectiveness of communication. This qualitative study finds a knowledge gap because the available literature on politeness and effective communication is from linguistics, anthropology, and even health sciences but with a limited horizon into how politeness is achieved for effectiveness in healthcare communication. Qualitative data is collected from five healthcare facilities in Nyamagana Municipality in Mwanza Region, Tanzania through non participant observation as well as documentary review. Furthermore, a conceptual framework which includes principles of socio-stylistics as well as politeness theories is employed to guide the process. Findings show that detachment is the main strategy for achieving politeness and it operates through sub strategies which include the inclusive ‘we’, in-group identity markers, give or ask reasons, as well as the cooperative. As a cultural product, detachment transforms healthcare facilities to effective stages where culture is performed, and healthcare providers as well as the patients transform to a powerful cast with various roles to perform in the grand cultural drama of transacting healthcare services. Illustrations of the effectiveness of detachment are provided using examples from data collected of cultural performances which facilitate cultural politeness such as the ritualised formulaic greetings from the Swahili culture. In the end, the paper restates the importance of cultural aesthetics in all sectors of our society. The paper recommends a paradigm shift in all academic disciplines, including medicine and healthcare, to embrace cross/multi-disciplinary approaches to their research work in order to broader and enrich their knowledge base which informs development and implementation of respective policies. More studies should also be focused on the significance of the various aspects of intangible heritage of cultural aesthetics to tap the wealth of collective cultural wisdom. Keywords: detachment, politeness, effective communication, healthcare, cultural aesthetics