Chapter 8. Metapragmatics and reflections in support of knowledge transfer and common ground in doctor-patient interaction

Abstract

In doctor-patient interactions, successful knowledge transfer and mutual understanding play a key role. To achieve them, participants need to construct common ground and collaborate jointly on meanings, while also overcoming difficulties arising from asymmetry of knowledge. These processes are often supported by a meta-management of discourse, mainly by the use of metapragmatic reflections. This paper investigates the metapragmatic expressions and meta-comments in 24 doctor-patient interactions, including 4 G.P. consultations, 12 dental appointments and 8 educational videos. The analysis demonstrates that metapragmatic reflections and comments may serve as an important means for the dynamic management of knowledge transfer and common ground in the domains of information, interaction and feelings, and help to adjust attention, negotiate interpretations, and resolve misunderstandings in the consultations.