The British hospice movement: a critique of the resource mobilization perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the domestic Hospice Movement. Alone, a psychological perspective is inadequate for an understanding of the forces involved in the initiation of hospice enterprises. A sociological approach is necessary to provide a complementary balance and to reveal the mutual influence of social and individual factors. A Resource Mobilization perspective (McCarthy and Zald, 1977), is adopted for this purpose. The scope of the study is confined to the genesis and initial development of hospice projects. Interviews with, and questionnaires completed by, individuals involved with the Martin House Childrens' Hospice project, provided information regarding factual, resource mobilizing aspects of their involvement, together with subjective accounts of their activities within the Movement. The history and development of the Movement are outlined briefly. A background to the field of collective behaviour and social movements provides an introduction to an outline of Resource Mobilization theories. A survey of societal attitudes to death, and dying, both past and present, together with some cross-cultural references, challenges the notion that western society is characterised by a, "denial of death," and suggests that it is better described as.” death transforming.” Hospice philosophy and individual attitudes to death are also considered, as a prelude to appraising both the benefits and the deficiencies of the use of a Resource Mobilization perspective in studying the Hospice Movement. The future of the Movement is discussed, with particular reference to the question of integration into the National Health Service. In order to achieve a greater understanding of the Movement, past, present and future, it is felt that any approach should stress the dynamic interaction between participating individuals and the wider issues of both intra- and extra-Movement resource mobilization. Finally, AIDS is considered in relation to the Hospice Movement. This is seen to represent potentially the biggest challenge to the terminal care services.