8. Health Care Communication: A Problematic Site for Applied Linguistics Research

Abstract

In this chapter, we address, selectively, how applied linguists and those concerned with discourse analysis in particular, have recently approached the study of health care communication, especially in intercultural contexts, and relate these approaches to studies undertaken by researchers in other academic disciplines such as the sociology of medicine and by health care practitioners in the course of their own work. At issue will be questions concerning selected sites and themes, the degree of distinctiveness of research methodologies and different understandings of what counts as data, and questions concerning reflexivity and practical relevance in terms of the use to which findings can be put. Appreciating areas of difference and similarity is a necessary basis for establishing the desirable, but potentially problematic, partnerships among academic disciplines and between such disciplines and the work of professional practitioners, both in research and in professional development. As a sample site in the delivery of health care in the framework of cultural and linguistic diversity, we identify nursing, and use this site and its practices to advocate the collaboration of applied linguists, professional practitioners, and researchers from other areas of social science in the exploration of health care communication in multilingual/multicultural contexts and elsewhere.

Naturally Occurring Interactions and Guidance Codifications in Healthcare Communication Analysis: the Case of Praising Obese Patients

“…It has incorporated a broader range of philosophical, methodological and analytical perspectives, and acknowledged the interactional role of the patient in the medical encounter. Furthermore, a wider range of healthcare contexts have been investigated, such as nurse-patient interaction (Candlin and Candlin, 2003;Jones, 2010), parent-practitioner interaction (Meeuwesen, Bensing and Kaptein, 1998;Stivers, 2007) health visiting (Heritage and Sefi, 1992), counselling (Peräkylä, 1995), secondary care clinics (Silverman, 1987) and hospital settings (Oakley, 1980). These studies highlight the central role of communication in achieving key consultation tasks such as history-taking, examination, diagnosisgiving etc.…”

Chinese mental illness narratives: Controlling the spirit

“…For those experiencing illness, narrative provides a means of relating their experience to the community at large while, at the same time, exploring and assigning greater personal meaning to their illness experience (Couser 1997;Hyden 1997;Kleinman 1988;Wiltshire 2000;Candlin and Candlin 2003;Pierret 2003). The voices of those afflicted with an illness not only can effectively communicate the individuals' 'rich view of the world and of their illness within that world' but also can lead to 'a better understanding of their illness, including its meaning to them and their expected recovery process' (Bhui and Bhugra 2002: 6).…”

Co-construction of ``doctorable'' conditions in multilingual medical encounters: Cases from urban Japan

“…As a type of institutional discourse, healthcare communications have been widely studied by researchers who have adopted a variety of analytical frameworks, including conversation analysis, discourse analysis, and interactional sociolinguistics (e.g., Candlin and Candlin 2003;Drew and Heritage 1992;Heath 1986;Heritage and Maynard 2006;Mishler 1984). However, studies that investigate the impact of globalization and migration upon healthcare communications are still at an early stage of development, despite their clear, urgent need.…”