On Doctor-patient Communication From The Perspective Of Goffman’s Interaction Order

Interpersonal interaction is the basic form of human life, and people communicate with each other for various purposes. The doctor-patient communication, as the most representative of interactive behavior and social activities, is closely linked to people’s life. However, there are very few scholars devoting themselves to doctor-patient communication from the perspective of sociology. This thesis conducts a study of doctor-patient conversations from the perspective of interaction order of Goffman, an American sociologist. The research object is the doctor-patient dialogues in consultation, and the research methodology follows analysis of real data collected. Recordings of doctor-patient conversations were collected and then transcribed. With Goffman’s interaction order as the framework, this study answers how the interaction order guides doctor-patient communication, and how to solve the problems in doctor-patient communication.We, with reference to Goffman’s three important metaphors:the dramaturgical metaphor, the game metaphor and the ritual metaphor, analyzes doctor-patient conversations and have the following findings:(1) In rural family clinics, doctors and patients always convert between two groups of identity:acquaintances and doctor-patient.(2) When facing the doctor, patients take different impression management strategies in different occasions.(3) Under the condition of asymmetry of medical information and institutional identity, doctors do not follow social principles the same as patients in medical service transaction which is also social service. Doctors often violate the principle of equality and courtesy and command patients in a condescending manner. While the patient tends to be more respectful and obey the arrangement of the doctor without resistance even when the doctor’behaviors have been threatening his face. According to the findings, the thesis puts forward three suggestions for reference for doctors and hospitals, hoping to establish a better doctor-patient conversation mode, building equal and harmonious doctor-patient relationship.