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Symbolical-interaction sociology is useful to mediators and relevant to mediation practice. It explores the elements of everyday social interaction including behavior of disputants during instances of conflict. In particular, Erving Goffman’s frame analysis offers mediators a practical tool useful in assessing and managing both the intellectual and emotional responses of disputants during mediation. Moreover, frame analysis can effectively guide mediators in assisting disputants to reorient their respective responses to each other and to the dispute, thereby enhancing opportunities for meaningful dialogue. In addition, Goffman’s game, drama, and ritual metaphors offer simple but powerful analytic tools guiding mediation clients through terrain which would otherwise be chaotic and overwhelming. Mediators committed to enhancing their practices and researchers in search of a sound theoretical base for effective dispute resolution can benefit substantially by applying these insights to the practice of mediation.

The purpose of the work is to determine the role and functions of mediator in the process of decision-making in modern business systems.

The methods of systematization, classification, structural and functional, comparative and logical analysis, and formalization are used.

Six types of mediator are used: state regulator or independent organization, regulator of integration association, psychologist and pedagogue, business consultant, top manager, and auditor (controller). It is shown that the role of mediator in the process of decision-making in modern business systems consists in quick overcoming of emerging contradictions with their functioning and development and preventing their turning into conflicts and crises. Mediator can perform the following functions in the process of decision-making in modern business systems: provision of balance of interests of business and society, provision of balance of interests of business system and integration association of which it is a participant, management of conflicts of interests of employees during collective decision-making, provision of balance of interests of employees and business managers, solving contradictions of interests of business managers, and monitoring and control over observation of laws and interests of business owners. A generalized structural and logical scheme of mediative solution of contradictions during decision-making in a modern business system is compiled.

It is substantiated that mediation could be in high demand by modern business systems, as it allows for successful overcoming of their internal and external contradictions.

Roma form the largest ethnic group in Europe. Currently, between 10 and 12 million Roma live in Europe, 6 million of which live in the European Union.

In this chapter, the authors analyze the socioeconomic and health problems faced by the Roma population, their causes and the barriers to Roma access to adequate medical care.

Roma population is generally younger than the general population, but with a lower life expectancy, due to poor living conditions and the increased prevalence of chronic and acute diseases. There are numerous barriers to accessing medical services by the Roma patients, such as language, low education, lack of information, discrimination in medical institutions, lack of medical insurance or identity documents and the relationship with medical staff.

Health mediators represent the link between communities and medical staff, with the role of reducing the negative consequences of the language barrier, sociocultural differences and tensions between ethnic groups.

The authors also present the results of a study conducted in Romania that aimed to analyze the role of health mediators as intercultural facilitators who contribute to increasing the quality of medical care provided to Roma patients and their ability to respond culturally appropriate to the health needs of the Roma patients.

The authors conclude that the medical staff has an ethical obligation to provide culturally sensitive medical care, since the ethnic origin, the level of education, the language proficiency and the cultural values of the patients are essential for a functional doctor–patient relationship. The activity of the health mediators is an important element in the health policies aimed at increasing the cultural competence of the medical staff and improving the medical care provided to the Roma population.