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The power of suggestion: examining the impact of presence or absence of shared first language in the antenatal clinic

Pilnick, Alison; Zayts, Olga

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Authors

Alison Pilnick

Olga Zayts



Abstract

© 2019 Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness Healthcare encounters involving participants from diverse linguistic backgrounds are becoming more common due to the globalisation of health care and increasing migration levels. Research suggests that this diversity has a significant impact on health outcomes; however less is known about how it is managed in the actual consultation process. This article presents an analysis of antenatal screening consultations video recorded in Hong Kong, using conversation analysis. We consider how the use of a second or subsequent language impacts on these consultations, and on discussions and decisions about further action. The presence or absence of shared first language did not appear to affect the extent to which particular courses of action were promoted or recommended. Recommendations were a common occurrence across consultations with and without shared first language. However, we argue that the routine use of recommendations can be consequential, as second language speakers may have more limited resources to interrogate or contest these. This finding has implications for the ability for professionals to maximise patient involvement in decision-making.

Citation

Pilnick, A., & Zayts, O. (2019). The power of suggestion: examining the impact of presence or absence of shared first language in the antenatal clinic. Sociology of Health and Illness, 41(6), 1120-1137. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12888

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 14, 2019
Online Publication Date Apr 7, 2019
Publication Date 2019-07
Deposit Date Feb 26, 2019
Publicly Available Date Apr 8, 2020
Journal Sociology of Health and Illness
Print ISSN 0141-9889
Electronic ISSN 1467-9566
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 41
Issue 6
Pages 1120-1137
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12888
Keywords prenatal care/testing, conversation analysis, doctor-patient communication/interaction, midwifery, shared decision-making, language/linguistics
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1586681
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-9566.12888
Additional Information This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Pilnick, A. and Zayts, O. (2019), The power of suggestion: examining the impact of presence or absence of shared first language in the antenatal clinic. Sociol Health Illn., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12888. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Contract Date Feb 27, 2019

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