Problem Presentation of Injury During Triage in Emergency Care

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research on medical consultation has primarily dealt with illness. In this article, we focus on traumatic injury such as limb breaks, skin lacerations, and so on. Using data from video recordings of triage interactions between providers and patients at an emergency department in Korea, this article examines patients’ problem presentations concerning injury in particular. First, patients may physically show their injury and its visible manifestation, at the same time verbally referring to the location of injury or describing the problem. Alternatively, patients may describe causes of injury, relying on verbal resources alone. Finally, patients may elaborate on their current symptoms with causes of injury. The findings suggest that patients’ problem presentation and nurses’ understanding can be shaped by the visible nature of injury. Data in Korean with English translation.