Health Communication Commons^™

Sometimes Laughter Is The Best Medicine: Stand-Up Comedy, Humor, And Healthcare, Haran Mennillo

Senior Honors Projects

While for many healthcare is no laughing matter, humor can be a valuable tool for physicians. Hospitals and other healthcare environments can be very stressful places for patients, many of whom are having the worst day of their lives. Humor is an excellent medium through which doctors can connect with their patients, improving the doctor-patient relationship. Patients will often use humor as a way to cope with their stress, and doctors with a sense of humor are able to better connect with their patients. This use of humor has many applications across different fields of medicine, including pediatrics, oncology, palliative …

Sexual Assault Prevention On College Campuses, Using Community Based Participatory Research Strategies To Craft A Creative Response, Adrianne Beer

Honors Projects

Sexual assault prevention and education programs have been working to develop successful ways to decrease sexual assault for almost to decades. Research has shown that despite efforts there has yet to be a program that effects statistics regarding campus sexual assault. This essay addresses several issues that explain why prevention programs have fallen short. It includes the study of victim blaming, the college party narrative, stranger rape, and bystander intervention. Examples from first hand reports of sexual assault and the study of BGSU prevention programs are used. The essay also addresses how our culture plays a role in sexual assault, …

Attitudes, Perceptions, And Usage Of Electronic Cigarettes : An Exploratory Investigation., Elizabeth P Hart

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are increasing in popularity. Originally, e-cigs were marketed and sold primarily online, but now they are easily accessible in a variety of locations, such as specialty and convenience stores, retail outlets, as well as online. Despite the increasing popularity of these devices, little is known about the overall health effects of using e-cigs. Additionally, relatively few studies have explored users’ and non-users’ perceptions of and attitudes about the devices and their use. The primary objective of this study was to address that gap by examining perceptions of and attitudes about e-cigs from users and non-users. A questionnaire …

Transgenerational Patterns Of Communication Orientations And Depression Among Mothers And Adult Children, Timothy Curran, Jennifer A. Samp, Anastacia Janovec

Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies Faculty Publications

This study investigated intergenerational transmissions of conversation orientations, conformity orientations, and depressive symptoms among 235 (N = 470) mother–child dyads. The analysis revealed that mothers’ reports of conformity orientation in her family of origin positively predicted her child’s report of conformity orientation and conversation orientation. Moreover, maternal depressive symptoms predicted child reports of family communication climates, which in turn predicted child depressive symptoms. A mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect from maternal depressive symptoms to child depressive symptoms through child reports of conformity orientation. Implications for transgenerational patterns of family communication climates and depressive symptoms are discussed.

Deaf Access To Healthcare, Jennifer L. Yates

Senior Honors Theses

Modern medical professionals strive to provide culturally competent care; however, Deaf[1] culture remains overlooked. Common language and experience draw deaf individuals together as a cultural group. Ignorance about Deaf culture perpetuates barriers to holistic care in the medical setting. Deaf patients receive misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and privacy breaches. Deaf culture understandably avoids healthcare and is characterized by numerous health disparities as a result. Obstacles hindering Deaf access to healthcare are directly opposed to the intended therapeutic relationship and holistic care. Increased awareness of Deaf culture is required to improve the Deaf’s access to healthcare.

[1] The word deaf should …

When One Is Sick And Two Need Help: Caregivers’ Perspectives On The Negative Consequences Of Caring, Ilja Ormel, Susan Law, Courtney Abbott, Mark Yaffe, Marc Saint-Cyr, Kerry Kuluski, Debbie Josephson, Ann C. Macaulay

Patient Experience Journal

Informal or family caregivers contribute significantly to individual care, and to the Canadian healthcare system, yet receive limited support from governments, institutions, and healthcare professionals in recognition of their role, or in response to their health and social care needs – often due to the negative consequences of caregiving. Learning about the diversity of others’ experiences can positively influence personal decision-making, reduce feelings of isolation, as well as promote adjustment to a personal situation. For caregivers, however, few resources exist that provide reliable information on others’ experiences. We collected the narratives of caregivers’ experiences of caring for someone with a …

Culturally Competent Health Education In African-Americans’ Faith-Based Communities For Better Health Outcomes: A Literature Review, Kougang Anne Mbe

McNair Research Journal SJSU

Obesity is a compelling health issue among African-Americans, who have the highest prevalence of excess weight among all ethnic and racial groups in the United States. This soaring obesity rate contributes to poor health outcomes and significantly inflates the risks for many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. The literature provides evidence for the success of health programs aimed at promoting healthy behavior and lifestyles in African-American faith-based organizations, as the influential role of churches in African-American communities is well documented. However, few studies have investigated the criteria essential for improved efficiency of health interventions …

A Bottom-Up Approach To Effectively Implementing A Good Samaritan Policy At Bryant University, Jessica Fleet

Honors Projects in History and Social Sciences

The rising numbers of substance consumption on college campuses are becoming a public concern for higher educational institutions across the United States. The thesis studies the relationship between state laws and private higher education institution laws in regards to substance abuse. Examining state laws and private universities Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan laws were used to determine what would effectively replace Bryant University’s current Substance Abuse Policy. The current policy lacks an educational element along with stressing the word of mouth ideology that students are protected when in need of drug or alcohol assistance in a medical situation. This is …

When Video Meets Health: Vaccine Awareness For Millennials, Alexandra Dickie

Honors Projects in Communication

The unique intersection of communication/video and science/health will be demonstrated through this honors project. The goal of the vaccine video is to inform Millennials about how vaccines work and the significance of vaccines to the community. The storyboard for a video was especially designed to communicate this information to those not in the science field, as well as those who are vaccine hesitant. The extensive process of information gathering required for the pre-production of the vaccine video will be discussed in depth – including the secondary research from the literature and the results from the formative survey and focus group …

Chronic Disease Management & Fitness Trackers Through The Lens Of The Health Belief Model & Diffusion Of Innovations Theory, Amanda Folk

Masters Essays

Chronic disease has become one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The purpose of this project is to understand the motivation behind health behaviors that individuals engage in to prevent, manage, or treat chronic diseases. By simultaneously examining chronic disease and fitness trackers through the Health Belief Model and The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, external factors are exposed that influence perceptions and lead to purchase decisions. Incorporating the cost-benefit analysis of the devices confirms that associated risks and questions of accuracy do not prevent product purchases or the belief that it can improve health. Moreover, the …

A Review Of 57 Zone: A Social Media Network For Tb Consultation And Communication In Kunming, China, India Medaris

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Yunnan, a predominantly agricultural province in southwest China, is a province with a high rate of both tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB), with nearly 25,000 cases of pulmonary TB reported each year. Former TB/MDR TB patients in Yunnan, with the support of Family Health International 360 NGO (FHI) are trying to combat this problem. They have created a social media network for TB consultation and communication, 57 Zone, where TB patients can talk about their medication, adverse drug effects, and nutrition and psychosocial concerns. The goal of this study was the look at what aspects of the …

Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Experiences With Prognosis-Related Communication, Amy Rose Newman

Dissertations (1934 -)

Health care providers (HCPs) in pediatric oncology are faced with the challenge of communicating the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This type of communication can be referred to as prognosis-related communication (PRC). While the initial conversation with the patient and family regarding prognosis is generally considered the responsibility of the physician, patients and family members will subsequently turn to nurses for clarification of the information presented. If nurses are excluded from initial conversations, they may feel as though they are “working in the dark,” trying to answer questions while not contradicting what the physician said. This strained …

Sex Acculturation And Risk Perceptions: Information Seeking And Processing Among Chinese Students In The U.S., Jieyu Ding

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The number of Chinese students studying in the United States is increasing each year and studying in the U.S. provides them with more access to risk information of sexual activities than that of their counterparts in China. Chinese students in the U.S. have shown higher knowledge level about HIV/STI than Chinese students in China. However, their risk perceptions about HIV/STI are relatively low compared to American students due to a lack of formal sex education and a sex-conservative society. Method: this study collected 385 online surveys via Survey Monkey from Chinese students studying in the U.S. The questionnaire was designed …

Book Review: When Technology Hurts. How Pornography Harms: What Today's Teens, Young Adults, Parents, And Pastors Need To Know By John Foubert, Walter S. Dekeseredy

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Tips From Former Smokers: Implications For An Advance Directive Completion Campaign For Young Adults, Kimberly Clark

Masters Essays

No abstract provided.

The Doctor Will Skype You Now: College Student Attitudes Towards The Integration Of Telemedicine (Healthspot® Kiosk) At John Carroll University, Kasey A. Foley

Masters Theses

There has been a spike in the nation’s interest in telemedicine over the past decade. Mobile applications, remote-monitoring devices, and image-sharing software have been designed to provide patients convenient access to medical attention. One of these technologies, an enclosed medical booth called the HealthSpot® kiosk (HSK), was installed in the John Carroll University Student Health and Wellness Center in 2014. The HealthSpot® kiosk utilizes videoconferencing technology to simulate face-to-face communication between providers and patients. This new technology would seem to be a good fit for a small college campus, as college-aged students accept technology quickly, and small campuses often have …

Rationale And Study Protocol For The Patient-Centered Outcome Aid (Pcoa) Randomized Controlled Trial: A Personalized Decision Tool For Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer Patients, Lari Wenzel, Dana Mukamel, Kathryn Osann, Laura Havrilesky, Lisa Sparks, Joseph Lipscomb, Alexi A. Wright, Joan Walker, Ronald Alvarez, Linda Van Le, Katina Robison, Robert Bristow, Robert Morgan, Bobbie Rimel, Heather Ladd, Susie Hsieh, Aditi Wahi, David Cohn

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

"The purpose of this study was to develop and test the effectiveness of a Patient-Centered Outcome Aid (PCOA) compared to a control condition of usual care, as patients chose between IV or IP therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. We developed an internet-based decision aid to improve patient-centered outcomes and tested it within a randomized clinical trial. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical trial development and protocol."

Brookings Supports Breastfeeding: Using Public Deliberation As A Community-Engaged Approach To Dissemination Of Research, Jenn Anderson, Rebecca A. Kuehl, Sara A. Mehltretter Drury, Lois Tschetter, Mary Schwaegerl, Julia Yoder, Heidi Gullickson, Jammison Lamp, Charlotte Bachman, Marilyn Hildreth

Communication Studies Publications

Empirical evidence demonstrates myriad benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child, along with benefits to businesses that support breastfeeding. Federal and state legislation requires workplace support for pumping and provides protections for public breastfeeding. Yet, many are unaware of these laws, and thus, support systems remain underdeveloped. We used a community-based approach to spread awareness about the evidence-based benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support. We worked to improve breastfeeding support at the local hospital, among local employers, and throughout the broader community. Our coalition representing the hospital, the chamber of commerce, the university, and local lactation consultants used a public …

Understanding The Perspectives Of Potential Minority Participants On Clinical Trial Enrollment, Saliha Akhtar

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Research has shown that there continues to be insufficient recruitment of minorities in clinical trials. By eliminating this group from research, not only does it impact the success of clinical trials by making it more difficult to achieve recruitment targets, but it also leads to an inability to identify appropriate treatments and interventions for all individuals, especially as racial/ethnic factors can play a role in the efficacy and safety of a treatment and intervention. The purpose of the study was to understand the perspectives of minority healthcare students/professionals on clinical trial enrollment. Focusing on this population would shed light on …

Abuela, Anne Walsh

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Articles and Research

"How could I, the student admitting this patient on behalf of the attending physician, ever identify and address her medical issues if we couldn't effectively communicate? How could I help her understand the medications, consultations, tests, and procedures she'd receive, not to mention the grueling regimen of daily physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallowing therapy, counseling psychology, and social work sessions?"