從社會批判理論角度看台灣的喘息服務

Critical Social Theory Perspective on Respite Care Service in Taiwan

喘息服務是提供給主要照顧者有計畫的、短暫的、或週期性放鬆機會的一種服務設計，雖然許多學者都提出照顧者有喘息服務的需求，並也在過去的研究證實喘息服務的效益，但是喘息服務的使用率還是不高，過去文獻大多從個人行為分析影響照顧者利用喘息服務的因素，但個人歸因的視角往往陷照顧者於更不利的情境，社會批判理論是一種透過批判及解放性知識的反思理論，運用於健康方面主要目的在使個人充能及意識覺醒，讓受壓迫者得以控制危害健康的情境獲得應有的健康，因此本文是透過文獻查證、社會觀察及與照顧者和健康照護工作者實際對談等方式，以社會批判理論的論點剖析現有社會的、政治的及經濟的牽制對照顧者利用喘息服務的影響，鼓勵護理人員關懷家庭照顧者，運用批判性思維，提供對等對話的機會，協助他們由壓迫的環境中覺醒，平等、自主地接受喘息服務。

The temporary rest provided by respite care both benefits caregiver well-being and allows care receivers to continue living in the community, effectively reducing rates of institutional placement. The necessity and effectiveness of respite care are well documented in the literature. However, only a few care providers take advantage of such services. Previous research, which has focused largely on personal factors contributing to low utilization rates, limits our understanding of the situation and of the constraints not related to personal factors. This paper attempts to move beyond the individual perspective by framing research in critical social theory in order to understand the current social, political and economical factors that limit caregiver utilization of respite services. Critical social theory, a reflection theory, emphasizes empowerment and conscious-raising in order to promote control of oppressed subjects. in applying critical theory, this paper encourages nurses to raise caregivers' consciousness of their constraining circumstances in order to empower them to access respite services on their own volition.