The meaning of health communication: Maybe they just don't know what they don't know?

Abstract

With increasing complexities in healthcare and a rise in medical errors, the literature has demonstrated links between health communication methods, patient safety, and adherence to health protocols. The purpose of this study was to understand the level of knowledge and perceived meaning of health communication among doctoral (DPT) students and experienced physical therapists (PTs), and to explore health communication methods used in the field. Practicing PTs and DPT students were interviewed for this qualitative research in academic, practice, conference, and home settings, but lessons learned could apply to clinicians and students from other disciplines as well. Findings suggest that, although patient–practitioner (interpersonal) communication topics may be embedded into professional curricula, gaps exist in awareness and knowledge of meso- and macro-level health communications. Though PT education provides rigorous technical training in diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and culture- and age-related competencies, there is a need to broaden instruction to incorporate more extensive health communication and new media technologies to address consumer needs in today's diverse healthcare settings, communities, and workplaces. Based upon, and in response to comprehensive interviews, recommendations for the future include development of more extensive health communication education programs that include training in, and use of, new media for both student and experienced clinicians in academic, clinical education, and practice settings. Additionally, health providers are urged to collaborate with non-health disciplines, including educators, communications experts, instructional designers, and policy-makers to promote effective, patient-centered, interdisciplinary and intergenerational health communication methods, materials, and competency standards.