Introduction
Discourse community is a concept that has attracted the attention of scholars and experts from different fields. According to Porter, discourse community refers to a “A local and temporary constraining system, defined by a body of texts (or more generally, practices) that are unified by a common focus. A discourse community is a textual system with stated and unstated conventions, a vital history, mechanisms for wielding power, institutional hierarchies, vested interests, and so on (5)” The author added that a discourse community is usually driven by common interest. In such cases, the interest can range from a helping members of a community to working with other professionals to deal with common problems in an area. Those who take part in the discourse community are expected to have ideas and knowledge about the issues that are being observed. Another critical issue that relates to discourse community is the subject of communication. Communication in such groups is important since they help the participants to share ideas and address the issue under consideration. Without communication, it may not be possible to have discussion in a discourse community. Furthermore, participants may struggle to develop innovations that pertain to the community of interest. When the participants communicate, they are better placed to find solutions that may be used to solve problems. This paper aims to explore and analyze three genres related to medical discourse community.
Sampling Procedure
There are a lot of discourse community material that exist in various sources. Not all the materials that are available today may apply to a given area of specialization. In addition, members off a discourse community may find materials to be relevant while others may conclude that some materials are not relevant. Therefore, there is a need to carefully assess the material and determine the extent to which they can be used to further a particular topic of interest. In the present case, it was necessary to select an appropriate sampling method to select the articles that were to be analyzed. The convenience sampling approach was used in selecting the articles. The process entails looking through the internet and locating a genre that was deemed appropriate and suitable for use in the study. The article were selected based on their link with the subject of medical practice. Three primary items were selected and analyzed in this project.
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Data Collection
Once the item to be analyzed had been located through the internet, the next step was to collect data. Data collection entails gathering information that can be used to achieve the objectives of the study. Each of the items was downloaded and summarized. The process entail looking at the critical elements of the pieces. Furthermore, attempts were made to determine the underlying message in the selected documents. During the data collection process, it was also imperative to take notes of the main points. The notes were used as the basis for exploring the main ideas that were to be examined in the texts.
Analysis and Coding
The content of the items that were selected could only make sense to the reader after it was analyzed. In this case, the thematic analysis process was used. Thematic analysis entails locating an article and identifying the main themes in the text. The themes are then coded to help in identifying the main message that is being passed across. There are four primary reasons why thematic analysis was done in this project. First, the approach allowed for the determination of the primary message in each of the selected documents. The second reason is that the approach is simple and can be done in a straightforward manner. The third reason is that thematic analysis provides a basis for comparing the content of the three items that were selected. Finally, the approach allowed for the determination of the main message that was being passed across. The main codes that were identified during the analysis included medical errors, adverse outcomes, medical services, and professional conduct. These codes could be used as the basis for understanding the content of the genres and examining the messages that the authors wanted to pass across to the audience.
Genre convention themes
Medical Document
The first text that was analyzed in this project was a medical document containing patient history. The form is usually used by the medical staff to communicate to the chief complainant. The form shows the visual signs, symptoms, and daily habits of the patient. A review of the document show that the form is usually used to gain knowledge about the past of the patient and the main reason why thy may be visiting a healthcare facility. Furthermore, the caregiver uses the form to collect information about past surgeries, allergies, past hospitalization and the known conditions that the patient may be suffering from. The primary objective is for the healthcare worker to get information that may be used to make informed decision about the manner in which the patient should be treated. Furthermore, the forms allow the healthcare practitioner to understand the underlying conditions that may be relevant when making diagnosis.
Editor's Memo
The second document that was selected and analyzed is an Editor’s memo on medical errors. Medical error is one of the main problems that are usually experienced in the healthcare settings. It occurs when the caregivers provide the wrong medical services to the patient. An example is the case where the caregiver administers the wrong drug to the patient. In other cases, the caregiver may record the wrong information about patients or perform a wrong site surgery. In all cases, the errors can lead to adverse health outcomes such as the death of the patient or longer hospital stay. The editor’s note highlights the need for caregivers to be proactive in dealing with medical errors. Some of the main themes that are identified in the text include death, deterioration of the patient’s health, quality care, and wellbeing of the patient. These are elements that are critical to the delivery of health services in a wide range of settings.
Medical Record Professional Guideline
The final text that was examined was a professional guide for taking history of the patient in the healthcare setting. The patient history form is a critical element in the care provision process. It is a document that helps in highlighting the factors that are critical when it comes to understanding the past of the patient. Without the information, the caregiver may not be able to understand the underlying issues that are relevant to the patient seeking treatment. The guide highlights the critical areas that healthcare workers should focus on as they strive to respond to the needs of the patient. The first element is understanding the needs of the patient. The second element is the importance of creating a conducive environment. Finally, it is imperative to state that healthcare workers should focus on protecting the rights of the patients while taking the history data.
