Do not Ignore the Embarrassed Elephant in the Room: Empathic Rhetorical Strategies Used by Andrological Clinical Physicians in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Within the Chinese cultural milieu, discussions surrounding sexual life and sexual capability evoke feelings of embarrassment. In the context of online Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment, physicians predominantly rely on verbal inquiries to ascertain patients’ medical conditions. However, patients may feel uncomfortable or hesitant to articulate their concerns openly and candidly. It is incumbent upon physicians to demonstrate empathetic sensitivity towards patients’ emotional states and employ empathetic rhetorical strategies to facilitate a conducive environment wherein patients feel empowered to articulate their conditions without reservation. This research endeavors to identify the empathetic rhetorical strategies employed by physicians to alleviate patients’ embarrassment within TCM clinical settings focused on male sexual dysfunction. Additionally, the authors aim to categorize these empathetic rhetorical strategies for future investigations into physician-patient relationships and communication dynamics, thereby enhancing physician-patient communication and treatment efficacy