Beyond the patient-doctor dyad: Examining other patient engagement in Traditional Chinese Medicine consultations

This paper explores the unique phenomenon of other patient participation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Specifically, it focuses on cases where doctors enlist the help of bystanders to address patient resistance and advance their medical agendas. By analyzing video-recorded practitioner-patient interactions in TCM hospitals, this study uncovers the various roles that third parties can assume during these medical interactions. The research identifies three distinct forms of other patient participation: the other patient as an illness-free individual providing a contrasting case, the other patient as a lay witness to the patient's clinical manifestations, and the other patient as a recovered fellow patient demonstrating treatment effectiveness. The findings of this study contribute to existing research on patient resistance and triadic medical interactions, offering insights into the dynamics and implications of third-party involvement in medical consultations.

Automated summary

This study explores the phenomenon of other patient participation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uncovering the various roles that third parties can assume during medical interactions. The findings contribute to existing research on patient resistance and triadic medical interactions, providing insights into the dynamics and implications of third-party involvement in medical consultations.