Health Communication

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores theories, research and practices of health communication across interpersonal, organizational, cultural and/or mediated contexts. Focuses on how communication shapes health beliefs, behaviors and outcomes in clinical, community and/or policy settings. Considers patient-provider interaction, communication in health care organizations, health campaigns, media representations of health and/or cultural perspectives on illness and well-being. Attention to the role of technology and social media in shaping health communication environments. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Builds competence in applying communication strategies to health-related issues across professional, civic and personal life. Strengthens skills relevant to health professions, study of advocacy, policy and media. Develops awareness of how communication influences health literacy, patient outcomes and public understanding of health. Prepares for advanced study for roles in organizations and industries where health communication is central. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Highlights how everyday views of health and illness differ from those developed through research and cultural analysis. Studies ways health communication involves not only the exchange of information but also negotiation of meaning, culture and/or power. Considers how communication practices influence perceptions of wellness, treatment and/or health equity. Course may involve engagement with sensitive topics such as illness, mortality, mental health, reproductive health and public health controversies. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study of patient-provider communication, organizational communication in health care systems and communication in health policy and study of advocacy; exploration of health campaigns, media representations and the use of technology and social media in promoting health; consideration of social support, cultural perspectives on health and illness and the role of communication in shaping individual and collective health outcomes. Topics may also involve contested or sensitive issues, including health disparities, reproductive health, addiction, mental health and/or public health campaigns, examined for their communicative and cultural significance. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.