Some Contingencies of the Moral Evaluation and Control of Clientele: The Case of the Hospital Emergency Service

Chancers, pests and poor wee souls: problems of legitimation in psychiatric nursing

“…They also noted that a significant proportion of patients with subsequently diagnosed psychiatric illnesses fell into the problem patient category. These findings are very much in line with work reported by Roth (1972), Becker et al (1951), Jeffery (1979), Strong (1980 and Hughes (1981). Indeed Jeffery suggests that for his casualty doctors the terms 'problem patient' and 'psychiatric patient' were virtually synonymous.…”

“…Roth (1972) and Hughes (1981) are particularly important exceptions. For a critical review of the literature see Kelly and May (1982).…”

When nurse knows best: some aspects of nurse/doctor interaction in a casualty department

“…The 'sorting' function of the Department brings staff into contact with a patient population which includes both those suffering from life-threatening conditions, and those who tum out to have no determinable illness or pathology. Patient processing is made all the more difficult because in certain circumstances attenders with serious illness conditions may be almost indistinguishable at first sight from various categories of 'problem' patients -drunks, malingerers, and psychologically disturbed persons -who will in most cases not be admitted to hospital (see Bagley 1971, Dingwall and Murray 1983, Jeffery 1979, Mannon 1976, Roth 1972a, 1972b.…”

The Social Practice of Rescue: The Safety Implications of Acute Illness Trajectories and Patient Categorisation in Medical and Maternity Settings

“…Underpinning risk rationalities and the micro-politics of the care of the acutely ill in medicine was a moral evaluation founded upon the application of concepts of social worth common in the larger society (Roth 1972). Rescue was organised primarily around the timely and effective treatment of patients with one specific condition .…”