S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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Chapter 8: Actor-Network Theory

8.1 Introduction

This chapter builds on the previous three chapters, addressing how the groups presented in the social world/arenas map coordinate and function collectively to assist remote nurses in delivering mental healthcare. This required an analysis and discussion of the elements in the non-human arena of the social world/arenas map. This had not been undertaken prior to this stage of the study. This chapter utilises actor-network theory to examine both human groups’ and non-human elements’ interactions in the social world. The chapter commences by explaining and discussing the main concepts that underpin actor-network theory. After this, the chapter examines and discusses the actors in the non-human arena, in particular how, through the lens of actor-network theory, they regulate and coordinate actions between actors in the healthcare system arena. The chapter concludes with an explanation of the actor-network concepts of ‘moments of translation’ and ‘obligatory passage points’, and their relevance to remote general nurses delivering mental healthcare. 8.2 Actor-Network Theory Methodologically, actor-network theory explains how aligned interests (e.g., groups in the social world) are created, formed into networks and maintained. It facilitates the mapping of ‘elements (within networks) that influence, shape, or determine … action [of remote nurses delivering mental healthcare] … Each of these elements is in turn part of another actor-network and so forth’ (e.g., actor arena, healthcare arena, remote nurse’s social world; Monteiro, 2000, p. 76). Actor-network theory treats everything in the social and natural worlds as continuously generated webs of relations. It can be described as ‘a