ENABLING PATIENTS AND PHYSICIANS TO PURSUE MULTIPLE GOALS IN HEALTH-CARE ENCOUNTERS - A CASE-STUDY

This study details how one physician and her patients interactionally create a conducive climate for the display and treatment of both parti es' goals for the encounter. Although the typical asymmetrical relatio nship between other doctors and patients may discourage patient partic ipation, the physician-patient interaction in this study is an exempla r of how doctor and patients may help to foster an environment that fa cilitates patient involvement. This study indicates how presequences p ermit patients to initiate goal work in a face-preserving way. It also shows how physician self-disclosure works to downplay perceived statu s differences and facilitate a cooperative, team approach to the healt h care encounter.