I Am a Doctor, and Here is My Proof: Chinese Doctors’ Identity Constructed on the Online Medical Consultation Websites

Abstract

ABSTRACTDespite a multitude of previous research focusing on doctors’ identities which have been constructed through traditional face-to-face communication, their identities on online medical consultation websites are still underrepresented in research. This paper sketches out how Chinese doctors construct their online identities by analyzing 1,000 pieces of conversations between patients and doctors retrieved from 120ask.com. The analysis showed that Chinese doctors create professional identities online through the use of medical jargon, independent vocatives, and diagnostic questioning, while their authoritative identity is constructed by using collective vocatives to situate themselves as members of hospital communities and using a high modality to carve out their authoritative identities. Often Chinese doctors establish their individuality through self-reference, and highlight their ordinary side of their identities through the use of intimate vocatives and markers of politeness. To some extent, this study not only gives comprehensive answers to the research questions but also can serve as a facilitator of effective communication and good rapport management between doctors and patients in online consultation.