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Language and connectedness in the medical and psychiatric interview
David E Ness1, Scott F Kiesling
1Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. nessde@upmc.edu
This study introduces "connectedness" as a linguistic concept for improving medical and psychiatric interviews. It offers a framework for research and teaching to enhance communication skills.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Medical Education
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The medical and psychiatric interview is a critical communication tool.
- Existing frameworks may not fully capture the nuances of effective patient-clinician interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and develop "connectedness" as a linguistically grounded concept.
- To provide a framework for operationalizing connectedness for systematic study and application.
- To enhance research and teaching methodologies for medical and psychiatric interviews.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual development based on discourse analysis.
- Illustration of the concept with practical examples.
- Description of a basic rating scale for assessing connectedness.
Main Results:
- Connectedness is rooted in established discourse analysis principles.
- The concept is directly applicable to the study and teaching of interviews.
- A foundational rating scale for connectedness has been developed.
Conclusions:
- Connectedness offers a valuable framework for enhancing interview skills.
- Further research into connectedness is warranted to refine understanding and teaching.
- The concept has direct implications for clinical practice and medical education.
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