A conversation analysis of haoba used by doctors in the outpatient clinics in China

Abstract

Haoba is a frequently used linguistic expression in Mandarin talks, which shares similarities with the English word okay in terms of meaning and usage. There is a lack of extensive research on the interactive roles and functions of haoba in outpatient settings, especially in China. To examine the interactive functions of haoba used by doctors in doctor-patient communication, we utilize the Conversation Analysis (CA) to study 5 out of 73 Chinese outpatient consultations in which doctors employed haoba throughout the medical visit. Our study revealed that haoba is used in outpatient conversations to fulfill many interactive functions, including seeking patients’ responses, drawing patients’ attention, responding to feedback, and connecting topics. We want to understand how haoba helps doctors and patients communicate better and more harmoniously. Through a deeper comprehension of the interactive functions of haoba, this study seeks to improve the quality of doctor-patient communication.