Health Communication: Theory and Practice
Health Communication: Theory and Practice
Description
Why is effective communication important in health, and what does this involve? What issues arise when communicating with particular populations, or in difficult circumstances? How can the communication skills of health professionals be improved? Effective health communication is now recognised to be a critical aspect of healthcare at both the individual and wider public level. Good communication is associated with positive health outcomes, whereas poor communication is associated with a number of negative outcomes. This book assesses current research and practice in the area and provides some practical guidance for those involved in communicating health information. It draws on material from several disciplines, including health, medicine, psychology, sociology, linguistics, pharmacy, statistics, and business and management.