A dramaturgical view of the health care service encounter

Examines the “dramaturgical” view of the service encounter to understand the service consumption experience. Illustrates this by demonstrating how the drama metaphor is applicable and useful in understanding perceived quality in health care services. Presents a strategic model of the medical encounter. Suggests impression management guidelines and, from a practical standpoint, serves to stimulate the imaginations of physicians and health care administrators on managing evaluations by paying attention to certain characteristics of the medical encounter.