Das Gespräch zwischen Arzt und Patientin: Die bewegungsanalytische Perspektive

Abstract

In an analysis of a video-taped 7-minute doctor-patient interview, the body movements and kinetic interactions were coded with movement behaviour scales by two independent raters. For the first time, the kinetic analysis was systematically compared with an independently conducted discourse analysis. The patient's movement behaviour was characterized by a high rate of repetitive trunk movements. Specific kinetic pattern changes co-occurred with verbal utterances that had been identified as therapeutically relevant in the discourse analysis. In his implicit gestural behaviour, the doctor related to the patient by mirroring her and by symbolizing. Repetitive movement activity without self-touching is associated with self-regulatory processes just like continuous self-touching. Changes in movement behaviour patterns help to identify therapeutically relevant processes. Relating to the patient on the gestural level is therapeutically effective, even if the therapist is not aware of his “interventions”.