Enquiry into Inquiry: A Study of Chinese Medical Consultation

Abstract

GP practice in the Western surgery has been found to be more than merely medical work. It involves quite complicated interaction between doctor and patient. In the conclusion to their comprehensive study of verbal behaviours of British GPs in medical consultation, Byrne and Long (1976: 191) state that 'the consultation is a complicated mixture of the discipline we call medicine and the effective utilization of behavioural skills.' This interaction is important to both doctors and patients.For doctors, they need to obtain information on patients. this information can help them build up hypotheses concerning the condition and its treatment. In addition to this need, doctors have to persuade patients to accept their diagnosis and comply with their prescription. For patients, they need to voice their concern and give a proper account of their condition so that doctors may have a good grasp of their problems. They also need to take part in the decision making process which leads to the treatment of their condition.