Radiologists’ (Re)productions and Transformations of Informed Consent to Treatment’s Discourse of Liability: A Structurational Analysis of Accounts of Social Action

• In Event: Organizational Communication Studies in Structuration Theory

Abstract

Informed consent to treatment (ICT) seeks to protect patient autonomy. Unfortunately, not only is it a leading reason for medical malpractice, but inquiry into its practice is devoid of theory. This study draws on structuration theory (ST) to conceive of ICT as constituted by contradictory sociohistorical discourses. The study focuses on how ICT’s sociohistorical discourse of liability is appropriated in social action. Radiologists’ accounts of practice are found to simultaneously (re)produce and resist this discourse.

Author

• James O. Olufowote, Boston College