ABSTRACT
Talcott Parsons's (1951) concept of the sick role provides some basic guidelines for understanding doctor-patient interaction. Parsons explains that the relationship between a physician and his or her patient is one that is oriented toward the doctor helping the patient deal effectively with a health problem. The physician has the dominant role because he or she is the one invested with professional medical training and expertise. The patient holds a subordinate position oriented toward accepting, rejecting, or negotiating the recommendation for treatment being offered. In the case of a medical emergency, however, the options of rejection or negotiation on the part of the patient may be quickly discarded, as the patient's medical needs require prompt and decisive action from the doctor.
