The Role of Code Mixing and Code Switching in Doctor-patient Communication at Federal Medical Centre, Katsina State
Chapter One
Aim and Objectives of the study
Based on the research questions raised above, the research is guided by the following aim and objectives:
- To investigate whether there are communication gaps between doctors and patients.
- To assess the factors responsible for code mixing and code switching.
- To examine the effect of professional background in effective communication between doctors and patients.
- To proffer better ways in which effective communication can take place between doctors and patients.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Preamble
This chapter is divided into two broad sections. The first section deals with the review of related literature from topical and authorial perspectives while the section deals with the theoretical framework of analysis in pragmatics that focuses on mutual contextual believe
Language and Communication
Language is a means used for of identifying a set of people, nation or country. Hornby (2001:667) defines language as the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by a people of a particular country. Crystal(1985:262) observes that of all the means of communication, language is the most frequently used and developed. Babatunde (2002:1) opines that the indispensability of language has been inexorably tied to the existence of man in the society. Language plays an important role in our lives, Sellers (1991) assert that“language is intrinsic to the way we think, to the way we construct our groups and self-identities, to the way we perceive the world and organize our social relationships and political systems”.
Daramola (2004) defines language as a patterned, social activity of human beings, displaying patterns of substance, (phonic and, at least potentially graphic), from {sic} (grammar and lexis) and context.
Whitman (2007) cited in Fromkin et al (2007) asserts that language is not an abstract construction of the learned or of dictionary-makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its basis broad and low close to the ground.Without society, language cannot evolve. Language was borne out of the need for communication by humans. It serves as a cord binding together the fabrics of society; it is a binding force among various members of the society, hence, its social function.
From the forgoing, it goes to show that language is a means of identification, of socializing and of displaying our gregariousness, without which there will be no means of interacting with other humans. This research which is situated within doctor and patient communication.
Social Roles and Variables in Language
The process of interaction makes possible for people to construct and renegotiate their associations with each other constantly. Through discourse moves, participants maintain and signify equality, inequality, solidarity, or detachment. However, there are situations in which social roles are relatively preset, and in which people are expected to use and interpret discourse relatively in advance. A common, usually pre-set pair of discourse roles consists of ‘doctor’ and ‘patient’ Johnstone (2008:139).
Even though, in some situations, it may be unclear to one or more of the participants what role is being assumed by others, or what roles they should themselves adopt, and a person can be acting in more than one role, each associated with a different voice ‘register’ or a different ‘frame’ for understanding. However, sometimes people can go into a situation expecting that they will have to negotiate about social and linguistic roles. Alternatively, it can cause difficulties determining what role they should hold during certain interaction. Therefore, many variables might affect directly or indirectly the social role of interlocutors and the interaction. For example, gender, power, age, educational background, etc.
In addition to the use of language through register, Johnstone (2008) remarks, one of the many ways in which social identities and discourse roles can be indexed is using forms or address. In some situations, address is expected to be reciprocal that is everyone calls everyone else by first name, for example, ‘by a title and last name combination in western society, or by some other formula. In non-reciprocal situations, one person is expected to employ one form of address and the other person another.’ In English, the choices might include first name, nickname or short form of first name; last name only; title (Dr., Ms., Reverend) plus last name; title only (your Honor, officer); ‘dad, mama, sis, and other terms for family members or quasi-family members; sir or ma’am; numerous forms like, honey, bro, sweetie, old man, mate, and so on’ Johnstone (2008:128).
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter presents the method adopted for generating data for this research. The chapter therefore contains the sources of data and the method of data analysis.
Research Subject
The research subject comprise of doctors and patients at Federal Medical Centre Katsina. The hospital is made up of twelve (12) departments. Out of these 12 departments, five (5) departments were selected using the simple random sampling technique. The department that were selected are:
- General Out Patient Department (GOPD)
- Radiology Department
- Surgery Department
- Obstetrics Department
- Gynecology Department
Research Tool
The research tool adopted for this research are questionnaire, personal observation and recordings methods. This involves asking questions to sample the opinion of subjects which comprises doctors and patients. The questionnaire was administered randomly in all the departments listed above.
For the purpose of this research, 50 questionnaires will be administered, 10 questionnaires to each departments selected for this study. The structure questions were design purposely to structure the respondents’ responses while the unstructure questions were designed to elicit further responses from respondents.
Method of Data Analysis
There are many methods of processing and analysing research data, but what determines the method to adopt is the nature of the problem one is considering and the type of data involved. Since this research set to investigate the relevance, effectiveness, frequency of usage, relationship, categories of people involved, language and factors responsible for code switching and mixing, this research therefore adopts statistical descriptive method in analysing the data obtained from the questionnaires .Here is an example of how the researcher will analyze the data of code mixing and code switching.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS
Analysis
A total number of eighty (50) questionnaires were randomly administered to the respondents in five (5) selected departments of the Hospital which was analyzed below.
The questionnaires that were analyzed is divided into (2) sections. The first covered the bio-data of respondents and the second section covered the areas of questions answered by the respondents (responses).
Data Gathered through Questionnaire Method
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Summary
This research work focused on the role of code switching and code mixing in doctor-patient communication at Federal Center Katsina. The first chapter centered on the background to the study, statement of research problems, such as patient complain about their doctor that they are willing to listen to them,doctors are authoritative and unhelpful etc. it looks at the research question, such as does problem of communication exist between doctors and patient at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina? What are remedies to effective communication between doctors and patient?etc. The aim and objectives of the study such as, to assess the factors responsible for code mixing and switching, the significance and scope of the study.
The second chapter of this research centered on the review of the literature, as different concepts relating to code switching and code mixing were extensively discussed such as language and communication, factors motivating code mixing etc. also Bach and Harnrish (1979) MCB theoretical framework was clearly stated.Chapter three of this research work centered on the methods employed in date collection such as questionnaires,personal observation, audio recording and statistical analytical techniques is used in analysis of the date obtained. Chapter four which is the main concern of the research work focuses on the presentation, interpretation and analysis of data used for the research work. Chapter five is the summary and conclusion.
Conclusion
The study examined that the frequency of usage very often with 52%,relevance, effectiveness on consultation show that 96% respondents choose yes. Base on their response language barrier is the factors that are responsible for code switching and code mixing with 74%, we realized that 86% code mix and switch in doctor patient communication .This was attributed fact that 58% majority of the patients visiting those department were illiterate. The analysis also shows that 74% of doctor- patient code switch and code mix more often with their patients rather than with their colleagues. The analysis show that 72% of respondent used native plus English
The study also showed that code switching and code mixing are relevant and effective in consultation sessions agreeing with Dura (2005) who states that code switching and code mixing are effective communication made available to proficient bilingual speakers for interaction with other individuals who share both languages.It can hence be concluded from this study that code switching and mixing occur frequently between doctor- patients is effective and relevant since they aid and facilitates communication in the medical field.
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