Studying the Process of Clinical Communication: Issues of Context, Concepts, and Research Directions

Abstract

Much cancer-related health communication research has involved studies of the effects of media campaigns and strategies on secondary prevention. Cancer diagnosis rates, however, continue to affect millions of people. The need exists for communication studies to address the quality of the clinical interaction, the point of actual care delivery in addressing diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Using examples from a 6-year communication and behavioral oncology research program established at the Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) in Detroit, Michigan, we describe selected empirical issues; models, particularly the “convergence model” (adapted from Rogers & Kincaid, 1981); and associated constructs that are relevant and promising foundations for building future research in cancer clinical settings. Two examples from our empirical research program are described.