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Constructing digital support at end of life: A cross-cultural analysis of interpersonal engagement on hospice websites
Author(s)
Date Issued
2026
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Journal
ISSN
1041-0236
1532-7027
Citation
Health Communication, 2026.
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
This comparative study investigates how digital support and interpersonal engagement are presented in the discourse surrounding public hospice center websites from Hong Kong and the United Kingdom (UK). As primary platforms for disseminating health information and hospice resources, these websites play a vital role in supporting patients with terminal illnesses. Drawing on systemic functional linguistics and focusing on the interpersonal metafunction, this study examines how lexicogrammatical choices construct discourse semantics and reflect the values and professional roles of service providers, patients, and communities. A corpus of 40 websites (20 from each region, totaling 52,086 words) was compiled between January and March 2025. Computational methods, including Natural Language Processing (NLP)-based topic modeling and corpus tools, were used to identify significant thematic and lexicogrammatical patterns. Qualitative analysis of collocations and concordances was performed to explore language use in key website sections, such as “About Us,” “Our People,” and “Our Services.” Findings suggest cultural and institutional differences in end-of-life care discourse. Hong Kong websites tend to emphasize holistic palliative care for the elderly and multidisciplinary teams, employing institutional and service-oriented language, with frequent references to “elderly,” “residential care,” and “stage of illness.” In contrast, UK websites foreground family and community support, charitable organizations, and professional identities, adopting a narrative-driven and emotionally engaging style. The use of personal pronouns, storytelling, and emotionally charged collocations contributes to a relational, inclusive discourse. This study enhances understanding of cultural and linguistic variation in digital healthcare communication, offering insights into the emerging discourse of hospice care in a globalized digital context.
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