6533b854fe1ef96bd12af57b
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Exploring web-mediated communication: A genre-based linguistic study for new patterns of doctor–patient interaction in online environment
Marianna Lya Zummosubject
Service (systems architecture)020205 medical informaticseducationMEDLINEdoctor-patient exchange02 engineering and technologyDistance CounselingStyle (sociolinguistics)Access to Informationrelationship modelPatient satisfactionPatient Education as Topicgenre0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineeringHumanscomputer-mediated communication060201 languages & linguisticsInternetPhysician-Patient RelationsModality (human–computer interaction)Event (computing)CommunicationRemote ConsultationPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthMediated communication06 humanities and the artsLinguisticsSettore L-LIN/12 - Lingua E Traduzione - Lingua InglesePatient Satisfaction0602 languages and literaturemodalityComputer-mediated communicationPsychologydescription
This paper questions the nature of the communicative event that takes place in online contexts between doctors and web-users, showing computer-mediated linguistic norms and discussing the nature of the participants’ roles. Based on an analysis of 1005 posts occurring between doctors and the users of health service websites, I analyse how doctor–patient communication is affected by the medium and how health professionals overcome issues concerning the virtual medical visit. Results suggest that (a) online medical answers offer a different service from that expected by users, as doctors cannot always fulfill patient requests, and (b) net consultations use aspects of traditional doctor–patient exchange and yet present a language and a style that are affected by the computer-mediated environment. Additionally, it seems that this new form leads to a different model of doctor–patient relationship. The findings are intended to provide new insights into web-based discourse in doctor–patient communication and to demonstrate the emergence of a new style in medical communication.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-11-07 |