Verbal analysis of doctor-patient communication

doi:10.1016/0277-9536(91)90091-P

Social Science & Medicine

Volume 32, Issue 10, 1991, Pages 1143-1150

https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(91)90091-P Get rights and content

Abstract

A microscopic analysis of doctor-patient communication in the general practitioner's surgery is presented. Verbatim transcripts of 85 medical interviews, audiotaped in a natural situation were analysed. The effects of type of complaint, patient gender and physician gender on the process of verbal communication were assessed. This study focused upon the relational aspects of communication, using Stiles' Verbal Response Mode coding system (VRM), and, to a limited extent, upon the content of patient's complaints—whether they were primarily somatic or of a psychosocial nature.

The hypothesis of an asymmetrical relation between physician and patient was confirmed. Results partially confirmed the hypothesis that interviews of psychosocial patients take more time than those of somatic patients. There was also some evidence that psychosocial patients try to exert more control over the conversation as compared to somatic patients. Male and female patients differed in the way they elaborated their complaints. When telling their complaints, women referred more to persons (family, friends, colleagues) than did men. In case of male GP's, the interviews of female patients took more time than those of male patients.

The largest differences were between male and female physicians. In agreement with the hypothesis males were more imposing and presumptuous (giving more advisements and interpretations). Female GP's were more attentive and non-directive (giving more subjective and objective information and acknowledgements). The medical interviews of female GP's took more time than the interviews of their male colleagues.

The results are discussed in the light of theoretical concepts of harmony and discrepancy with respect to doctor-patient communication and theories about gender differences.

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View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Verbal analysis of doctor-patient communication

Abstract

Soc. Sci. Med.

Patient Educt. Couns.

Soc. Sci. Med.

J. Pragmatics

Soc. Sci. Med.

Gaps in doctor-patient communication: I. Doctor-patient interaction and patient satisfaction

Pediatrics

Doctor-patient communication

Sci. A.

Gaps in doctor-patient communications: Patients' response to medical advice

New Engl. J. Med.

Gaps in doctor-patient communication: Doctor-patient interaction analysis

Pediat. Res.

Interaction exchange structure and patient satisfaction with medical interviews

Med. Care

Sex differences in complaints and diagnoses

J. Behav. Med.

The content of physician/patient communication in family practice

J. Fam. Practice

Doctor-patient communication in general practice consultations

Med. Educt.

The Social System

Patients' View of Medical Practice

Profession of Medicine: A study of the Sociology of Applied Knowledge

The communication of information about illness: Clinical, sociological and methodological considerations

Adv. psychosomatic Med.

Control in the medical consultation: Organizing talk in a situation where co-participants have different competence

Sociology

Information giving in medical care

J. Hlth soc. Behav.

Consultanalyse: Communicatieve en kwalitatieve aspecten van hulpverlenen in de huisartspraktijk

Verbale und nonverbale Kommunikation zwischen Problempatienten und Arzten während der Visite

Medizinische Psychologie

Doctors Talking to Patients: A Study of the Verbal Behavior of General Practitioners Consulting in their Surgeries