Health communication

For the academic journal, see Health Communication (journal).

Health communication is the study and application of communicating promotional health information, such as in public health campaigns, health education, and between doctors and patients. The purpose of disseminating health information is to influence personal health choices by improving health literacy. Communication is a dynamic process, meaning that both the source and the receivers of shared information will constantly exchange roles. Health communication that is dynamic provides both caregivers and patients with a better change of experiencing meaningful insights, leading to more positive health outcomes. However, how communication is received and processed is different for each individual, meaning that information and understanding that is derived from a conversation depends on each individuals prior experience, interpersonal relationships, cultural patterns, social norms and so on. Due to individual differences, connections can be built through strategies such as shared decision-making, motivational interviewing, and narrative medicine.

Because effective health communication must be tailored to the audience and the situation research into health communication seeks to refine communication strategies to inform people about ways to enhance health or avoid specific health risks. Academically, health communication is a discipline within the field of communication studies. The field of health communication has been growing and evolving in recent years. The field plays a crucial role in advancing health in collaboration with patients and medical professionals.Studies have established that patients often judge the quality of their physician's interpersonal effectiveness, or the physician's "bed-side manner," as a major indicator of general competence. [1] Research shows health communication helps with behavioral change in humans and conveys specific policies and practices that can serve as alternatives to certain unhealthy behaviors. The health communication field is considered a multidisciplinary field of research theory that encourages actions, practices, and evidence that contribute to improving the healthcare field. The use of various skills and techniques to enhance change among patients and many others, and focus on behavioral and social changes to improve the public health outcome.

Health communication may variously seek to:

  • increase audience knowledge and awareness of a health issue
  • influence behaviors and attitudes toward a health issue
  • demonstrate healthy practices
  • demonstrate the benefits of behavior changes to public health outcomes
  • advocate a position on a health issue or policy
  • increase demand or support for health services
  • argue against misconceptions about health
  • improve patient-provider dialogue
  • enhance effectiveness in health care teams
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