Physicians' Use of Local Dialects during Communication with Patients

DOI 1 Citations 24 References
  • Tokuda Yasuharu
    Center for Clinical Epidemiology, St. Luke's Science Institute, St, Luke's Life International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  • Yoshioka Yasuo
    The National Institute for Japanese Language, Tokyo, Japan
  • Aizawa Masao
    The National Institute for Japanese Language, Tokyo, Japan
  • Tanaka Makiro
    The National Institute for Japanese Language, Tokyo, Japan
  • Ohde Sachiko
    Center for Clinical Epidemiology, St. Luke's Science Institute, St, Luke's Life International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  • Motomura Kazuhisa
    Ohji Seiklyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  • Naito Akira
    Division of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
  • Hayano Keiko
    Department of General Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto city, Japan
  • Fukui Tsuguya
    Center for Clinical Epidemiology, St. Luke's Science Institute, St, Luke's Life International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Search this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Japanese physicians' use of dialects related to geographic areas and to elucidate how physicians respond to dialect-using patients.<BR>METHODS: We conducted a web-based open survey, to which 170 anonymous physicians reported. We examined the following 1) whether dialects are used during communication with patients; 2) how to communicate with patients using dialects; and, 3) reasons for having difficulty in communicating with patients who regularly use dialects. Geographical areas were divided into the following 8 areas Hokkaido-Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu-Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu-Okinawa.<BR>RESULTS: Of 170 physicians, 61.2% (95% CI: 53.4-68.5%) reported using dialects. These proportions differed by geographic area (F= 8.141; p<0.001) . Physicians practicing in Shikoku and Chugoku used dialects most frequently, while those practicing in Kanto and Hokkaido-Tohoku used dialects least frequently. Many dialect-using physicians thought that physicians should use the same dialect as dialect-using patients. In addition, dialect-using physicians were more likely to think that a physician-related factor was responsible for having difficulty in garnering clinical information.<BR>CONCLUSIONS: Use of dialects by Japanese physicians during communication with patients seems common and may differ by geographic areas. Physicians' use of dialects could be a useful tool for effective clinical communication.

Journal

  • General Medicine

    General Medicine 9 (1), 13-19, 2008

    Japan Primary Care Association

Citations (1)*help

See more

References(24)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top