DEPLOYMENT OF PROSODIC AND DISCURSIVE FEATURES IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF PATIENTS' RECALL AND RETENTION CAPACITY IN SELECTED MEDICAL ENCOUNTERS IN NSUKKA
Creators: name: nwozor, ukamaka faith
name: Melefa, Omotosho Moses
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Keywords: Prosodic features, Discursive features, Patient recall, Healthcare communication, Doctor-patient interactions

description:  

Title: Deployment of Prosodic and Discursive Features in the Enhancement of Patients’ Recall and Retention Capacity in Selected Medical Encounters in Nsukka

About Me:

My name is NWOZOR Ukamaka Faith, and I am a researcher with a deep interest in the intersection of linguistics and healthcare communication. I hold a Master's degree in English and Literary Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I focused on exploring the nuances of language and its impact on various domains. My research primarily revolves around enhancing communication strategies within the healthcare sector to improve patient outcomes.

Research Overview:

Effective communication between doctors and patients is crucial for successful healthcare delivery. Miscommunication or a lack of clarity can significantly hinder patient comprehension, leading to adverse health outcomes. My research, titled "Deployment of Prosodic and Discursive Features in the Enhancement of Patients’ Recall and Retention Capacity in Selected Medical Encounters in Nsukka," delves into this critical issue. The study aims to identify and analyze specific prosodic and discursive features that doctors can utilize to enhance patients’ recall and retention of medical information.

Significance of the Research:

The degree of patient recall is essential at various stages of medical consultations, directly influencing recovery and overall health. Despite its importance, few studies have systematically investigated how specific linguistic features can be strategically employed to enhance patient memory. This research bridges that gap, providing empirical evidence and actionable strategies for healthcare practitioners.

Research Methodology:

The study was conducted in selected state-owned and private hospitals in Nsukka, Nigeria. It involved doctor-patient interactions with fifty-one patients and four doctors (three opticians and one general doctor). These interactions were recorded using an Android Techno KD7 model v6.1.0 mobile phone. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty interactions for detailed analysis.

The recorded data were transcribed and analyzed using the principles of Interactional Linguistics, particularly those proposed by Couper-Kuhlen and Selting (2010). This qualitative analysis focused on prosodic features such as pitch movements, syllable lengthening, and loudness, as well as discursive features like direct and indirect questions, patient education, organizing information into clear blocks, code-mixing, and exactitude in place of circumlocution.

Key Findings:

The findings reveal that specific prosodic features—pitch movements, syllable lengthening, and loudness—significantly enhance patients' recall and retention. These features are effectively used in strategies such as summarizing diagnoses, repeating important information, emphasizing key points, correcting patient misconceptions, and describing ailments clearly. Additionally, discursive devices like direct questions, organized information, and code-mixing were found to improve patients’ retention rates.

Implications and Future Directions:

This research underscores the importance of training healthcare professionals in advanced communication techniques. By mastering prosodic and discursive features, doctors can significantly improve patient comprehension and adherence to medical advice, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Conclusion:

My work aims to contribute to the broader goal of improving healthcare delivery through enhanced communication. By providing concrete strategies and empirical evidence, this research offers valuable insights for healthcare practitioners and researchers interested in doctor-patient interactions.

Call to Action:

I invite fellow researchers and healthcare practitioners to explore the full study and share their insights. Together, we can enhance the efficacy of doctor-patient interactions, leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.