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The communicative function of clinical narrative in radiology reporting
1Department of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. rooksby@cs.man.ac.uk
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Clinical narratives are viewed as direct representations of events. This study introduces a new perspective, the communicative function, emphasizing narrative as a communication tool, particularly in radiology reports.
Area of Science:
- Medical communication
- Narrative theory
- Radiology reporting
Background:
- Clinical narratives are traditionally interpreted through their referential function, focusing on direct representation of patients, diseases, and treatments.
- This perspective overlooks the communicative aspects inherent in clinical storytelling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and theorize the 'communicative function' of clinical narrative.
- To highlight underutilized features of clinical narrative by viewing it as a communication construction.
- To integrate narrative structure and communication models for a comprehensive theory.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing existing models of narrative structure.
- Applying communication theories to clinical text.
- Focusing analysis on radiology reports as a case study.
Main Results:
- A theoretical framework for the communicative function of clinical narrative is presented.
- The study identifies and values features of clinical narrative beyond direct referential meaning.
- Radiology reporting is analyzed through this new communicative lens.
Conclusions:
- Clinical narrative serves a dual function: referential and communicative.
- Understanding the communicative function enhances the interpretation of clinical texts, especially in specialized fields like radiology.
- This new perspective enriches the analysis of medical communication and reporting practices.