Four really interesting posts so far... you've all chosen really interesting papers that already show how discourse analysis can be used to study diverse areas (from the advice-giving role of pharmacists and addiction to online gaming to the way nurses communicate about contraception and social influences on intimate relationships). Posts have also highlighted how discourse analysis is useful for studying communication and social interaction (e.g. between pharmacist and older patients). Also that interaction isn't always something between humans, but might be between e.g. gamer and computer. And that discourse analysis can help us to study the details of conversations through to bigger social influences (indeed, it often links them). So, lots covered already and it will be interesting to see what others post.
So far, posts have picked up on positive aspects of discourse analysis in enriching understanding of health and illness (which is fine) and particularly about how communication can shape different consultations, perhaps leading to misunderstandings on the part of patients (or clinicians). But is there anything that you have found tricky or frustrating about discourse analysis? Or about the specific papers that you have read? And how useful do you think discourse analysis studies are?
