Interpretation of Clinical Observations

Abstract

An interpretation is an explanation, a construction, representation, or conception of the meaning or sense of a subject or event. In other words, interpretation is a process by which raw data secured by clinical observation are worked over and translated so that the various meanings of the data can be formulated. The process is one of rendering significance (intention, purpose, sense) from the raw data. For purposes of this chapter I use the term interpretation in two ways: to refer to the form or structure of a situation; and to refer to the intention, purpose, or function of a situation. Bergman (1951) distinguishes between what he calls Meaning I, the formal, operational meaning, and Meaning II, the significance, usefulness, or fruitfulness. In a general way, my use of the term is similar.