Reflective Writing in Medical Practice

Reflective Writing in Medical Practice is a theoretically engaging and nuanced examination of reflective writing by medical students and practicing physicians. Drawing upon numerous compelling and instructive text excerpts, Miriam A. Locher masterfully integrates insights from separate analyses of genre, interpersonal pragmatics, and linguistic identity construction – resulting in illuminating reading for students and practitioners who work at the intersection of discourse analysis and medical humanities.

* Heidi E. Hamilton, Georgetown University, USA *

This book is a very welcome and timely contribution to the emerging body of linguistic research in medical humanities. The book is an extraordinary example of the painstaking interdisciplinary research endeavour that forms its background, and a lucid narration by the author on the results of that research. A must read for linguistic scholars in medical humanities, medical educators, medical professionals and anyone else with an interest in how reflective practices can enhance medical communication and practice.

* Olga Zayts, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong *

The volume provides an impressively rich discourse analysis that employs various methods, both qualitative and quantitative. It offers interesting and useful insight into the ways in which medical professionals and professionals in training understand the importance of patient-centered care vis-à-vis communication skills, how they see themselves as both individuals and health care providers, and how they interpret patient behavior and emotions within the context of medical encounters.

-- Shelley Staples, University of Arizona, USA * Discourse Studies 21(2) *

This is a thorough and meticulously conducted exploration of the nature of reflective writing with the processes and decisions of research discussed in rich detail. The excerpts throughout the volume are well chosen and fascinating to read. I found it a particular advantage that the study didn’t just focus on English, and examples are, of course, also presented in the original language.

-- Zsófia Demjén, University College London, UK * Russian Journal of Linguistics, Vol. 23 No.