From a medical consultation to a written text. 2. Pragmatics and textlinguistics applied to medicine.
OBJECTIVE
To present linguistic and pragmatic theory applied to a consultation in general practice.


METHODS
Reflect upon what happens during a referred consultation, illustrating key pragmatic concepts. Apply these concepts to the medical outcome of GP consultations.


CONCLUSIONS
The spoken language is the most important tool in general practice. Speech-act theory, pragmatics, and textlinguistics may help us to grasp the process of doctor-patient interaction, and hence some essential aspects of the dynamics of clinical work.
Nessa
J
J
Allmennmedisinsk Forskning Ryfylke, Hjelmeland, Norway.
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D010684:Philosophy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012660:Semantics