Multi-party talk in the medical encounter: Socio-pragmatic functions of family members' contributions in the treatment advice phase

摘要: Abstract Discourse analytic treatments of medical communication have traditionally centered on dyadic interactions, occurring between a physician and patient. However, given the increasing complexity healthcare systems, contemporary encounters often involve additional participants, including patients' family members. The present study builds previous research investigating triadic multi-party – primarily in pediatric geriatric contexts extends it to other specialties (i.e., neurology rheumatology), which include patients with wider range ages where are capable speaking for themselves. Focusing audio-recordings naturally-occurring discourse, we explore ways members establish legitimacy as co-collaborators, drawing strategies that display knowledge, assume authority, share responsibility within interaction. In this way, their contributions help construct an understanding patient's condition and, many cases, affect treatment decision-making process.