Subjective Experience in Disorders of Consciousness

Following a coma, people sometimes enter prolonged periods of unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness known as disorders of consciousness (DoC). Despite significant scientific progress in understanding DoC, I draw on interdisciplinary research to argue that the field still lacks an adequate theoretical framework for conceptualising consciousness. I argue that a multidimensional, person-centred understanding of consciousness that recognises its affective and inward facing dimensions is needed for DoC. Such a conceptual framework will serve to bring more of what is broadly held to matter about the lived experience of these patients within the purview of rigorous clinical evaluation and research.