We Convey More Than We (Literally) Say

by Jason N. Batten, Bonnie O. Wong, William F. Hanks & David Magnus This issue of the American Journal of Bioethics features a target article by Blumenthal-Barby and Ubel that focuses on patients who are unrealistically optimistic, in denial, or self-deceived. In his excellent commentary, Weinfurt points us toward a particular branch of communication theory—pragmatics—as a fruitful way of evaluating statements made by these patients. He and several other bioethicists have contributed to a small but growing literature applying pragmatics to physician–patient communication, research ethics, and our interpretation of empirical bioethics studies.…
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Tags: Clinical Ethics Decision making Editorial-AJOB Featured Posts health communication Source Type: blogs