Communicative competence in healthcare and linguistic theories: Insights and applications.

Abstract

IntroductionPhysician–patient relationship has evolved from paternalistic model to cooperative one, known as patient-centered, where patients are experts on themselves in the socio-psychological, cultural, and material contexts. This transformed role has led physicians to adapt their highly specialized knowledge to effective communication pattern which is now a focal point in achieving therapeutic relationships in clinical context. Communicative competencies are of particular importance in medical practice and teaching medicine. Educational background derives from theories and foundations of linguistics and psycholinguistics.AimThe article presents main linguistic communicative theories that highly influence communicative competencies in medicine. It provides pragmatic guide to what is achieved from the principles of linguistic communicative competence in the current patient-centered model of communication in healthcare.Material and methodsMost important linguistic theories that have their applicative use in teaching medical communication are presented. It is a part of a larger project aimed at bridging the gap between linguistic principles and clinical practice.Results and discussionIn medical discourse, several types of message content funtions are distinguished: informative, emotive, directive, motivational, and therapeutic to influence patients’ emotional state. These discourse skills and associated motivational, volitional, and social abilities to use problem-solving successfully and responsibly, impact compliance, adherence, and concordance process.ConclusionsEfficient communication in medicine consists of several important competencies, but in order to be properly developed, mastering linguistic communicative competence is neccessary. Mastering them jointly with medical expertise is essential for helathcare professionals.