This essay contains the comments made by Professor Burgoon in his plenary address at the 41st meeting of the International Communication Association. Burgoon expresses concern about the communication researcher's role in the study of doctor-patient interaction. He argues that the communication scholar potentially does more harm than good. Burgoon outlines the underlying assumptions which guide current research and application and then offers suggestions for more fruitful research directions.
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References
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Berger, C. R. (1991) Communication theories and other curios. Communication Monographs58, 101-113.
2.
Bochner, A. (1982) On the efficacy of openness in close relationships. In M. Burgoon (ed.) Communication Yearbook 5 (pp. 109-144). New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books.
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Burgoon, M., Birk, T. S. and Hall, J. R. (1991) Compliance and satisfaction with physician-patient communication: An expectancy theory interpretation of gender differences. Human Communication Research18, 177-208.
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Parks, M. (1982) Ideology in interpersonal communication: Off the couch and into the world. In M. Burgoon (ed.) Communication Yearbook 5 (pp. 79-107). New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books.
