This special issue originated from a panel at the annual conference of the International Communication Association. The articles utilize various coding systems, including the Roter Interaction Analysis System, Verbal Response Mode, McNeilis Coordination and Competence System, and Relational Control Coding. This issue's goal is to provide a resource that will make it easier for future researchers to select a coding scheme that is most appropriate for the purpose of a particular research project. It illuminates the process of studying health care provider-patient interaction and facilitates decision making for future researchers.

Volume 13, Number 1, 2001Contents: T.L. Thompson, Introduction. K.S. McNeilis, Analyzing Communication Competence in Medical Consultations. L. Meredith, M. Stewart, J.B. Brown, Patient-Centered Communication Scoring Method Report on Nine Coded Interviews. D.L. Roter, S. Larson, The Relationship Between Residents' and Attending Physicians' Communication During Primary Care Visits: An Illustrative Use of the Roter Interaction Analysis System. A. Shaikh, L.M. Knobloch, W.B. Stiles, The Use of a Verbal Response Mode Coding System in Determining Patient and Physician Roles in Medical Interviews. R.L. Street, Jr., B. Millay, Analyzing Patient Participation in Medical Encounters. M.M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, J. Gilgun, Relational Control in Physician-Patient Encounters. RESPONSES: R.N. Rimal, Analyzing the Physician-Patient Interaction: An Overview of Six Methods and Future Research Directions. R.M. Frankel, Cracking the Code: Theory and Method in Clinical Communication Analysis. BOOK REVIEWS: J. Ferris,Handbook of Communication and People With Disabilities: Research and Application edited by Dawn O. Braithwaite and Teresa L. Thompson. J.D. Robinson,Talking About Treatment by Felicia D. Roberts.