Analysis of nurses’ language practices during medical appointments with patients suffering from gestational diabetes

Caregiver–patient communication is an essential parameter of quality of care, especially in the context of therapeutic patient education (TPE). In this study, I report on and analyze the language practices of nursing staff during appointments with patients suffering from gestational diabetes. To do so, I perform a semantic and pragmatic analysis of the study of speech coupled with text mining, using transcriptions of appointments. The results show that nursing staff use various language practices (including phatic expressions, softeners, metaphors, rhetorical questions, and examples). Among the results, I note that phatic expressions and softeners are ubiquitous language processes in caregivers’ speech, that the words used by nursing staff are mostly related to control, permission, and obligation, and that patient participation in speech production is very limited. On a broader level, I show the continuing significant presence of the paternalistic model in medical appointments, which is surprising given the objectives of TPE. In conclusion, the article contributes to a more detailed understanding of the language practices used by nursing staff and paves the way for reflection on possible training opportunities for caregivers.