The use of mitigation in doctor-patient communication in Jordanian Medical Institutions

Other Title(s)

استخدام التلطف في المحادثات بين الأطباء و المرضى في المؤسسات الطبية الأردنية

Dissertant

Abu Sahyun, Hibah Sami

Thesis advisor

al-Jarrah, Muhammad Ali

University

Mutah University

Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Department

Department of English Language and Literature

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2013

English Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the use of mitigation devices in doctor-patient interviews.

For this purpose, several medical encounters (doctor-patient communication) were gathered from various hospitals in Jordan.

The collected data were analyzed using Al-Ali and Alawneh's (2010) model of internal and external mitigation devices, and using the principles of Speech Act Theory (Austen, 1962 and Searle, 1979) especially in the act of request.

The result of this investigation revealed that physicians, in general, use mitigation devices when speaking to their patients, since they want to give their patients the feeling of participating in decisions, and they want to view patients as partners or equals.

In addition, physicians use mitigation devices when delivering bad news to their patients to alleviate the impact of such news.

Moreover, physicians more often use mitigation devices with uneducated and old age patients, since these patients are more fearful of their illnesses than other groups.

On the other hand, the majority of patients use mitigation devices to gain the sympathy of their doctors, or they may think that, in using mitigation devices, they can draw the complete attention of their doctors.

Finally, the use of mitigation devices was evident at the beginning of the majority of medical interviews in the form of greetings.

Main Subjects

Languages & Comparative Literature

Topics

• Jordan

No. of Pages

65

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-347172