ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the communication between the oncology healthcare professional and patient. It addresses the strengths and limitations of communication theories that propose the virtues of “effective” or “therapeutic” communication as a way of rationally explaining and handling death and the dying process. Most social interaction is symbolic in nature, the acts or line of action taken by the nurses, doctors, and social workers communicate some type of meaning. W. B. Pearce’s view of communication is helpful in providing insight into how acts of communication help to construct, coordinate, and manage meanings inside the death-related experiences between oncology healthcare professionals and patients. Similar to Erving Goffman in thought, Pearce sees uncomplicated acts of communication occurring when social customs are publicly followed. From J. D. Peter’s perspective, ideal communication or strategic discourse have good intentions in bringing logical, rational meaning to irrational behavior.
