Table 2: Poetic narratives across data.

Themes illustrated as poetic narratives
A unique expertise Prospects are bleak. Positions are entrenched. The treatment options offered by the ward are not working for the patient, who is considered a “hopeless case”. The patient is both distrustful and angry. The patient smokes on the balcony; simply helps himself to stuff in the linen depot, taking whatever he wants. The nurses are frustrated. Drawing on my experience, I put into words what I see: a patient who is working against the system, who was raised under conditions where violence and threats formed part of everyday life, and who only speaks the language of the street. A group of nurses to whom the everyday life of the patient is distant and hard to comprehend. A ward that is struggling to embrace the patients’ needs.
Coordination Hours of hard work are starting to pay off. I have tracked down a support-and-contact professional. The home care services have agreed to attend the patient in the allotment garden even though he does not officially reside there. Drug dealers have taken over the home address due to a drug debt. Even the general practitioner is back on the case despite the fact that the patient had an attendance ban following an unfortunate case about threats. Today, the handling of active abuse during hospitalisation will be discussed with the heads of ward. I know it has been a source of great frustration on both sides of the table and that it has now come to a head. I find the patient in front of the hospital; he is yelling that they went through his belongings and that they are a bunch of useless idiots. The tension is palpable. It will be difficult to get everyone to meet.
The whole-person concept A series of swearwords are flying through the air indicating that I am in the right place. My patient is leaving the ward again. He points to the doctor and tells him to take a hike. I get the patient’s attention and keep him focused. He is on a fluid restriction and has therefore replaced 20 strong beers with a bottle of vodka. The doctor informs me through clenched teeth that treatment is out of the question. Swearwords of the worst kind fly back at him. I feel like I am walking a tight rope as I suggest that we put together a new plan.
The system and the marginalised patient The voice at the other end of the call is fast and shrill. How do I convince her not to release the patient? I sigh and ask if I can come over and talk to her. She agrees. The patient wants surgery; but he is completely incapable of cooperating with the staff. His behaviour frightens the staff. I get a sense that the doctor wants to help; all is not lost. We go to see the patient together. In a regretful tone of voice, the patient accepts his part of the responsibility. Yet, on his way out to smoke, the patient yells far too loudly: “See ya!”