Nine Types of Turn-taking in Interpreter-mediated GP Consultations

This research investigated the systematicity of turn-taking organisation in naturally occurring GP consultations where either a professional or an ad hoc interpreter was involved to mediate language discordant doctor-patient talk-in-interaction. I found that participants systematically organise their turns to speak, following one of the nine types of turn-taking organisation identified in this study disregarding the patient's native language and culture, the type of interpreter and their interpreting proficiency. The effect turn-taking organisation has on communication varies in different contexts. Teaching doctors about the cause and effect relation between turn-taking and communication outcomes may help them improve their clinical communication.