Health Communication for Health Care Professionals: An Applied Approach

Promotes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health communication

According to the Joint Commission, over 75% of all serious medical errors in this country result from miscommunication. Based in these adverse realities and the author philosophy that communication is a clinical skill integral to effective health care delivery, this comprehensive text addresses thetheories and abilities needed by all health care providers. The only text written specifically for students of nursing, medicine, physical therapy,pharmacy, dentistry, physician assistants and opticians, this book incorporates recommendations for specific multimedia, suggestions for class discussion and interactive case studies to provide a rich and multi-perspective learning experience for gaining optimal expertise in effective health communication

The author underscores the importance of developing and maintaining successful relationships with patients, peers, and colleagues as a cornerstone ofeffective health care outcomes. With an emphasis on interactive learning, the text utilizescommunication theories to analyze verbal and non-verbalbehaviors in diverse health care contexts and assess which are more effective and why. Summaries at the end of each chapter discuss health communicationoutcomes. Chapters cover interpersonal and gendered communication, provider-patient communication, intercultural communication, organizationalcommunication, team communication, malpractice, palliative care, end-of-life communication, and many other topics.

Key Features:

• Fosters a patient-centered, interdisciplinary, multidimensional learning experience for health care students
• Recommends experiential learning using videos, films, and related discussion exercises
• Presents case study role-plays
• Provides companion case study resource to enhance learning objectives

Michael P. Pagano, Ph.D., PA-C Emeritus
Professor, Department of Communication
Michael was born and raised in Oklahoma.  After serving as an Army corpsman in Vietnam, Michael became a Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C).   He enjoyed the teaching role of being a PA and concurrently went to graduate school earning an MA in English and a Ph.D. in Communication with a focus on health communication.  He worked for 42 years, until he retired as a PA-C in 2019, in: Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, and Occupational Health settings in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. Over the past 18 years at Fairfield, he has taught a wide variety of graduate courses in: health, organizational, and interpersonal communication. In addition, he has a wide-ranging health and organizational communication research agenda, including award-winning articles co-authored with Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies faculty.  His unique background has contributed to a breadth of publications including: 6 books on health communication, and #7 published in 2021, Understanding Health Care in America: Culture, Capitalism, & Communication. He has also published numerous book chapters and encyclopedia entries. At Fairfield University, he has served as the Director of Graduate Studies for the MA in Communication Program, as well as interim Director for the Health Studies Minor and Masters in Public Administration Program.  He is married, has 2 sons, 3 grandchildren, and whenever possible plays golf.