Physician–patient dialogue surrounding patients’ expression of concern: applying sequence analysis to RIAS

The aim of this study was to analyse with sequence analysis physician–patient dialogue surrounding patients’ expression of emotional cues. Two samples, sample 1 consisting of 36 cancer patient consultations conducted by four oncologists, and sample 2 consisting 79 consultations of haematology patients conducted by nine specialists, were audiotaped and coded with the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Sequence analysis by means of a generalized sequential querier (GSEQ) was applied to the coded data. Lag sequential analysis (analysed using RIAS categories) showed that certain behaviours of physicians corresponded with patients’ expressions of concern. Physicians in both samples used silence and minimal encouragers before patient concern. The oncologists also used optimistic and affirming responses. The most common physician responses to patients’ concern were minimal encouragers or affirming and optimistic responses. Sequence analysis based on RIAS coding appears to be a promising method for the study of doctor–patient dialogue and should be utilized more in studies of the communication process in medical consultations.