OBJECTIVE: To present linguistic and pragmatic theory applied to a consultation in general practice. DESIGN: Reflect upon what happens during a referred consultation, illustrating key pragmatic concepts. Apply these concepts to the medical outcome of GP consultations. IMPLICATIONS: 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.
OBJECTIVE: To present linguistic and pragmatic theory applied to a consultation in general practice. DESIGN: Reflect upon what happens during a referred consultation, illustrating key pragmatic concepts. Apply these concepts to the medical outcome of GP consultations. IMPLICATIONS: 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.