Patient participation, authority and understanding – A case study of communication patterns in a geriatric consultation

Authors

  • Ulla Hellström Muhli Uppsala University, Sweden.
  • Barry Saferstein California State University San Marcos
  • Eleni Siouta Sophiahemmet University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jalpp.34131

Keywords:

clinical consultations, geriatric patients, patient authority, patient-centered interaction, patient–clinician communication, patient participation

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives are to examine communication patterns in the discourse between a female geriatric patient and a pharmacist concerning use of an inhaler in order to understand the communicative components of consultation interaction that support the patient learning and demonstrate understanding of medical information.

Methods: This article is a qualitative case study from a project that video recorded 40 clinical consultations. The case was selected as a representative example of the use of material and visual information resources during a clinical consultation between a patient and a pharmacist in a geriatric setting.

Results: The patient’s understanding of the clinician’s medical advice did not result simply from repeating the clinician’s demonstration. Rather, the patient’s discussion and manipulation of the inhaler produced a communication pattern that increased her authority over topics and forms of expression.

Conclusion: A combination of verbal, visual and tactile information resources produced pattterns of interaction that enhanced the patient’s participation, authority and understanding of medical information.

Practice implications: Many consultations can incorporate use of visual and material information resources to improve patients’ participation in treatment decisions.

Author Biographies

  • Ulla Hellström Muhli, Uppsala University, Sweden.

    Ph.D. Associate Professor of Sociology & Program Coordinator of the Social Work Program at the Department of Sociology, Uppsala University. Member of the Research Group on Welfare and Senior Lecturer in Social Work, specially Social Gerontology.

  • Barry Saferstein, California State University San Marcos

    Barry Saferstein is Professor of Communication at the California State University San Marcos, USA. His current research examines clinical consultations, explaining the effects of communication patterns, information resources and professional culture on patients’ understandings of their medical conditions and treatment options. He emphasizes analysis of recorded data, particularly video analysis, which presents the environmental components of cognition and communication.

  • Eleni Siouta, Sophiahemmet University

    Eleni Siouta received her PhD in 2016 in medical science from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. She is currently Assistant Professor at Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm. Her research interests include communication and patient involvement in shared decision making, and communication between representatives of different medical professions and the patient.

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Published

2019-08-28

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hellström Muhli, U., Saferstein, B., & Siouta, E. (2019). Patient participation, authority and understanding – A case study of communication patterns in a geriatric consultation. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Professional Practice, 12(3), 336-353. https://doi.org/10.1558/jalpp.34131