Signs in the medical context and the semiotic codes: an introduction to medical semiotics. Signos no contexto m dico y los c 3digos semi 3ticos: una introducci 3n a la semi 3tica m dica Signos no contexto m dico e os c 3digos semi 3ticos: uma introdu § ￡o semi 3tica m dica

This paper discusses the medical act from a semiotic perspective. In this sense, the exchanges between a patient and a doctor may be approached as a process of transmission and reception of messages, through the intermediation of signs, signified by both agents, and which will conditionate the process of decision-making, the final step in the medical act. This is the conceptual framework for an anlysis of the different codes employed in the interpretation of the messages exchanged between patient and doctor, and some features of their application into homeopathic practice.