<p><i>Objectives</i>: Explore the function of three specific modes of talk (discourse types) in decision-making processes.</p> <p><i>Design</i>: Ten real-life admissions of patients with critical illness were audio/video recorded and transcribed. Activity-type analysis (a qualitative discourse analytical method) was applied.</p> <p><i>Setting</i>: Interdisciplinary emergency teams admitting ...