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Abstract
There has been an increased interest in the use of information technology for health and health care delivery. This systematic review examines patterns and trends of research pertaining to the intersection between technology and health communication, determines where gaps exist within the current body of literature, and provides future directions for researchers and practitioners. Drawn from three major databases, a sample of peer-reviewed journal articles (n = 348) published from 2008 to 2012 was coded in terms of research focus, health concern, technology, research method, and research agenda development. The most investigated subject in the literature was online health information, including search, dissemination, and evaluation, followed by telemedicine/electronic medical records, social support, provider–patient relationship, and health intervention. Health literacy, technology access, public health emergency preparedness/response, and health policy advocacy were examined less often. The most studied health concerns were cancer and mental health, followed by HIV/AIDS/STD, general nutrition, diet, exercise/obesity, physical disability, diabetes, and substance/alcohol/tobacco use. Some critical health issues such as heart disease/stroke were not emphasized. The most discussed technology was the Web, including website for health information, web or computer-based intervention program, traditional online forum/support group, email/listserv, and Web 2.0 social media. Newer technologies such as mobile phone and 3D virtual world/virtual reality/video game were not paid equivalent attention. Studies with quantitative methods tripled those that were non-quantitative. In terms of the development of the research agenda, half of the articles focused on how people use technologies for health and health care, while one-quarter investigated the impact of technologies.
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Yifeng Hu
Dr Yifeng Hu (Ph.D., Penn State) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. Hu's research focuses on uses and effects of new media and emerging technologies in health communication. Hu has published peer-reviewed articles in top communication journals such as Communication Research and Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. At TCNJ, Hu single-handedly designed and developed an advanced undergraduate interdisciplinary seminar, ‘New Media and Health Communication’, which examines a wide variety of new media technologies and their impact on individual and public health. This course has been selected as a core course for the new graduate certificate program in public health and an elective course for the new public health undergraduate major at TCNJ. Hu's class has collaborated with industry on healthcare-related projects.