Peter Woolfson

Non‐verbal interaction of Anglo‐Canadian, Jewish‐Canadian, and French‐Canadian physicians with their young, middle‐aged, and elderly patients

This study investigates the role that non‐verbal communication plays in establishing and maintaining rapport among physicians and their young, middle‐aged, and elderly patients. Eleven physicians with a variety of patients were studied in the project in Montreal. Five physicians were Anglo‐Canadian, three were respectively Jewish‐Canadian and French‐Canadian. Three additional physicians were part of a pilot project. Patient‐doctor interviews were videotaped by means of a stationary camera fitted with a wide‐angle lens placed in the doctors’ offices. Physical examinations were not videotaped. After each session, patients filled out a questionnaire elucidating the success of the interview.