“I’ll suggest that to your doctor”
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Helena Webb
Abstract
A restricted interactional practice in a specialist UK obesity clinic leaves the clinic consultant unable to refer without risk to certain recommended weight loss interventions as definite and guaranteed. This chapter draws on video-recorded clinic consultations to discuss the operation of this interactional restriction in the treatment discussion phase of the encounter. Analysis shows that the withholding of references to institutional clinic constraints constructs the restricted interactional practice in operation. Various other interactional practices are then drawn on to manage this restriction, ensuring that the tasks of the treatment discussion phase are accomplished. This incorporates the construction of particular institutional roles and normative identities for the consultant and patient. These findings add to conversation analytic understanding of healthcare consultations and of the management of interactional restrictions in institutional settings.
Abstract
A restricted interactional practice in a specialist UK obesity clinic leaves the clinic consultant unable to refer without risk to certain recommended weight loss interventions as definite and guaranteed. This chapter draws on video-recorded clinic consultations to discuss the operation of this interactional restriction in the treatment discussion phase of the encounter. Analysis shows that the withholding of references to institutional clinic constraints constructs the restricted interactional practice in operation. Various other interactional practices are then drawn on to manage this restriction, ensuring that the tasks of the treatment discussion phase are accomplished. This incorporates the construction of particular institutional roles and normative identities for the consultant and patient. These findings add to conversation analytic understanding of healthcare consultations and of the management of interactional restrictions in institutional settings.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Producing and managing restricted activities 1
- Assessments, interrogatives and semi-scripted talk in managing a restriction on advising 45
- Avoiding giving advice in telephone counselling for children and young people 83
- Withholding explicit assessments in tourist-office talk 115
- “But whose side are you on?” 151
- “Don’t tell him just help him” 181
- “I’ll suggest that to your doctor” 205
- Linguistic and interactional restrictions in an outpatient clinic 239
- Responses to indirect complaints as restricted activities in Therapeutic Community meetings 271
- Talking to/through the baby to produce and manage disaffiliation during well-child visits 305
- Concessions in audiology 337
- Transcription conventions 369
- Notes on contributors 371
- Author index 375
- Subject index 379
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Producing and managing restricted activities 1
- Assessments, interrogatives and semi-scripted talk in managing a restriction on advising 45
- Avoiding giving advice in telephone counselling for children and young people 83
- Withholding explicit assessments in tourist-office talk 115
- “But whose side are you on?” 151
- “Don’t tell him just help him” 181
- “I’ll suggest that to your doctor” 205
- Linguistic and interactional restrictions in an outpatient clinic 239
- Responses to indirect complaints as restricted activities in Therapeutic Community meetings 271
- Talking to/through the baby to produce and manage disaffiliation during well-child visits 305
- Concessions in audiology 337
- Transcription conventions 369
- Notes on contributors 371
- Author index 375
- Subject index 379
