Medical technology transfer and physician-patient conversation

Recognizing the facilitating role of informal communication in industrial technology transfer, this paper explores the hypothesis that, in the different realm of medical care, interactive conversation has a dynamic effect on the collaboration between caring physician and chronically ill patient, in the transfer of an element of 'soft' therapeutic technology into the latter's disordered bodily functions. Two contrasting scenarios explore the hypothesis. In the first, an alienated patient rejects implementing a procedure recommended by an expressly non-communicative physician. Later, following this physician's considered change to conversing, a similar patient responds by incorporating the innovative technology. Facilitated by conversation, this transfer brings indispensable rewards. The patient reaches new physical and psychological power for increased control of his difficult life. The physician gains professional reinforcement from achieving a healing outcome for the patient.