Syllabus

COM 2403ID Health Communication

Hours and Credits: 3 hours, 3 credits
Course Pre-requisite: ENG 1101 or COM 1330 or higher
Interdisciplinary (ID) Liberal Arts and Sciences Course

ID Course Description:

The interdisciplinary study and practice of communication in healthcare and public health. Topics include provider-patient interaction, team communication, and the diffusion of health information through public health campaigns. Students practice clear, purposeful and compassionate communication across multiple channels, to reduce errors and improve healthcare delivery.

Rationale for Interdisciplinary (ID) Course Designation

The big questions we are asking in the course include:

  • What are the most effective ways of promoting health and wellness?
  • How should messages be adapted to different audiences?
  • How can healthcare communication be improved to reduce errors?
  • What are the institutional, economic, cultural, and other factors that help or inhibit communication?

These questions are best tackled by combining insights from several different medical and academic disciplines. This interdisciplinary course will include insights from subject matter experts in Psychology, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Anthropology, Media Studies, Public Health, and Communication Studies.

Introducing Health Communication

Health communication refers to human interactions that influence health and wellness outcomes. It is concerned with how healthcare providers interact with their patients, as well as health promotion campaigns in the media. This class co-creates a definition for health communication, drawing on humanistic, social-scientific and medical approaches.

Topics we cover

  • Communication across healthcare specialties and hierarchies
  • Health promotion and health marketing
  • How the media portrays health issues
  • Interprofessional communication between providers from different disciplines
  • The role of simulation exercises in becoming better communicators
  • Communication impairments and disabilities
  • Disease surveillance in epidemiology & communication
  • Implications of healthcare information and communication technologies (CPOE, EHR, etc.)
  • The determining role of social structures on communication and health

Course Objectives

  • To communicate across different communication modalities (face-to-face, electronic, etc.)
  • To identify structural factors that foster and inhibit communication in health contexts
  • To consider the politics of representation in health media
  • To practice communicating through campaigns to promote public health
  • To simulate conversations about health and wellness
  • To use participation-observation and media analysis to become keen observers and listeners
  • To employ narrative and writing in the “first person” to welcome our own experiences
  • To consider the needs of persons with varying levels of English literacy
  • To address an on-going national healthcare crisis

Readings

This is an Open Educational Resource (OER) course and a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course. Required reading materials, podcasts and videos posted on the course Open Lab site (and Blackboard) by Instructor and students of this course. These online resources are also helpful:

Netiquette is a great resource about being polite online and in emails.

Pub Med is a database of medical articles available to the public.

Pew Research Center does public opinion research.

Technology Support

Course materials are available on the Open Lab Blackboard, and the courses requires the use of Blackboard, City Tech email, and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software. Blackboard and the Open Lab are used to retrieve course files and assignments; take quizzes, upload completed assignments and post on the Discussion Board. iTec is the name of the Office at City Tech that supports students with their technology needs. Here are some important contact details for iTec:

Office Location: Room G601
General Phone: (718)-254-8565
Email: itec@citytech.cuny.edu
Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 9:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 7:00pm
CLOSED Saturday & Sunday
Website: http://websupport1.citytech.cuny.edu/index.html

iTec also offers student workshops on Email, Blackboard, MS Office, Portfolios and other topics. Please see

http://websupport1.citytech.cuny.edu/studentworkshops.html

Description of Assignments

Weekly Quizzes

Every week, students complete open book quizzes on Blackboard, based on the weekly readings. There are between 20-25 T/F and multiple-choice questions. You can do each quiz three times (your highest score will be used). There is no time limit once you begin the quiz, but each one has a deadline as stated on the syllabus and Blackboard. You may wish to read ahead and take quizzes before they are assigned.

In-class Personal Narrative

In addition to being (or aspiring to be) healthcare or communication professionals, we are also people with health issues and concerns, as well as patients, and consumers of healthcare products and procedures. We care for children, elderly or sick family members, and may accompany them on medical visits. That means we can speak about health, based on our experience, irrespective of our medical training. During class meetings, a writing prompt is displayed onscreen at the start of class with five minutes or so to write an answer. The in-class personal narrative is “stream of consciousness”—meaning, spontaneous and impressionistic. You are encouraged to share personal experiences but remember your right to privacy as well. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing personal details, there are other forms of writing the instructor can suggest. After, volunteers read their narrative out loud or summarize it extemporaneously. Others are encouraged to relate their own experiences to what was shared. You are awarded full credit for each week completed (no letter grade).

Blackboard Discussion Board

Each week the instructor posts a prompt that you respond to by creating your own “thread.” At the end of your thread, please pose a follow up question to readers to get a discussion going. In addition to writing your own thread, you will read threads posted by others in the class and respond to at least three. Users can post links to news stories, videos and other websites. The Discussion Board is “asynchronous,” meaning, you can log in, post and reply at any time of the day or night. You are awarded one point for each week completed.

Class Participation

Speaking in class is an important way to practice communication skills. There will be opportunities to ask and answer questions and even debate current issues. There are also times when we break up into pairs and smaller groups. Each student in the class should also give at least one impromptu speaking assignment during class. This involves getting up in front of the class to deliver a short, unrehearsed speech, based on a health topic provided by the instructor. Sometimes, two or more students will act out scenarios that might take place in a medical context. Your participation in these activities is required and the enthusiasm you bring and effort you make will positively contribute to this portion of the grade.

NOTE: Missing class and coming in late will negatively affect your Class Participation grade. More than 3 absences will lead to an automatic D or F on your Class Participation grade. 3 lates=1 absence. Please note that attending synchronous online classes requires the use of a webcam. Your face, live, on camera, as seen by the instructor, constitutes attendance for an online webinar. Attendees who don’t use their webcam may be marked as absent. See “Humanities Department Policy on Absences/Lateness” below for department policy.

Final Presentations

Work on Final Presentations begins early in the term. Presentations take place during the last 4 weeks of the course. Final presentation is evaluated by classmates and Instructor who complete an Evaluation Form. Please choose only one of the three choices below:

  1. Health in the News: Find recent news articles related to a health issue that interests you, relevant to the subject matter of Health Communication. Conduct research on the topic and prepare a presentation that clearly summarizes the issue and presents your critical assessment. Successful presentations go beyond common knowledge and provide something new and educational. Presentation should include a succinct summary of issue, reference to the news stories and course material, and a critique or evaluative response.
  2. Observation Report of a Healthcare Setting: Involves an (at-least) one-hour observation, note-taking and write-up of a healthcare setting. Using a participant-observation approach requires immersing yourself in a setting, paying close attention to what is happening, taking notes and asking questions. Your presentation should include vivid details of your observation and interaction and an explanation of how you connect the observation report to the course material. Note that outside research is still required. Healthcare workers may choose this option to give the audience a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at a healthcare setting, activity, procedure, or experience.
  3. Design a Health Campaign: This assignment gives you the chance to design a strategic intervention for some kind of health issue. For COMD and PTW students, this is an opportunity to apply design and writing techniques to make a print ad, fact sheet, press release, audio or video spot, or social media campaign. Your media work (PowerPoint, audio-visual recording, poster, etc.) must be accompanied by an oral presentation where you where you explain your approach and reference theories and evidence to support it.
Final Presentation Requirements
  • Requires outside research and citing 3 to 5 sources.
  • Detailed, typed outline (manuscript) with in-text citations and Works Cited section (due mid semester).
  • Structured presentation with distinct Introduction, Body and Conclusion (and required sub-parts).
  • Visual aids should include high resolution images. Slides must have NO text or MINIMAL text.
  • Rehearsed, polished, 8 to 10 minute in-class presentation, delivered extemporaneously (meaning, not read, word for word, off a manuscript).
  • 8 to 10-minute presentation only. Presentations not within time limits receive grade of F. Therefore, time speech carefully and adjust contents accordingly.
  • Presentation is followed by a short question/answer period (about 5 minutes).

NOTE: Outline with Works Cited is due mid-term.

Peer Evaluations:

During Final Presentations, students will complete thorough peer evaluations of their classmates. Evaluators will consider the speaker’s content, delivery, and visual aids. The evaluation requires detailed comments showing that you listened closely, as well as constructive criticism that may help the speaker improve.

Grading

Weekly Quizzes 20%
In-class Personal Narrative 10%
Blackboard Discussion Board 15%
Outline (due mid semester) 10%
Final Presentations (graded on revised outline, content, delivery and visual aid) 20%
Peer Evaluations 10%
Class Participation 15%
Total 100%

Provisional Weekly Schedule

NOTE: This is a general outline for this course. The schedule for your semester and section will contain specific homework assignments and may otherwise look different.

Week 1
Title Welcome to Health Communication
Activities Roll call, syllabus overview and introduction to Blackboard site
Topics Syllabus, Discussion Board, Quizzes, Personal Narratives, Final Presentations
Reading Week 1 readings
Homework Prepare introductory speech; Syllabus quiz and week 1 quiz
Week 2
Title Intro to Health Com
Activities Introductory speeches
Topics Biomedical and biopsychosocial model; Social determinants of health
Reading Week 2 readings
Homework Week 2 quiz; Discussion Board
Week 3
Title Patient/Provider Communication
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; lecture; interview simulations
Topics Stages of change; motivational interviewing
Reading Week 3 readings
Homework Week 3 quiz; Discussion Board
Week 4
Title Assigning Final Presentations
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; lecture; impromptus
Topics Outlines; structure; sources and citing; verbal and nonverbal delivery
Reading Week 4 readings
Homework Week 4 quiz; Discussion Board; Research Final Presentation topics
Week 5
Title GUEST LECTURE: To be announced
Activities Lecture & group discussion
Topics Racial inequities in health care
Reading Week 5 readings
Homework Week 5 quiz; Discussion Board; Research Final Presentation topics; Prepare outline
Week 6
Title Culture & Diversity
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; lecture; group activity
Topics Cultural “competency”; cultural dimensions; cultural sensitivity
Reading Week 6 readings
Homework Week 6 quiz; Submit outline with Works Cited on Blackboard
Week 7 Monday March 16
Title Health com w/out healthcare
Activities Outline workshop #1
Topics Social support; palliative care; grieving
Reading Week 7 readings
Homework Week 7 quiz; Discussion Board
Week 8 Monday March 23
Title eHealth, mHealth and Telehealth
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; lecture; paired activity
Topics Information literacy; digital divide
Reading Week 8 readings
Homework Week 8 quiz; Discussion Board
Week 9 Monday March 30
Title Health communication outside of the examination room
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; lecture; group activity
Topics Public relations and PR crises; reputation management
Reading Week 9 readings
Homework Week 9 quiz; Discussion Board
Week 10 Monday April 6
Title Health & the Media
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; Outline feedback
Topics Media literacy; cultivation theory
Reading Week 10 readings
Homework Week 10 quiz; Revise outline; Practice your presentation!
Week 11 Monday April 20
Title GUEST LECTURE: To be announced
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; group activity
Topics Public health; communicating health risks
Reading Week 11 readings
Homework Week 11 quiz; Revise outline; Practice your presentation!
Week 12 Monday April 27
Title GUEST LECTURE: To be announced
Activities Writing prompt & discussion; group activity
Topics Public health; risk communication
Reading Week 12 readings
Homework Week 12 quiz; Revise outline; Practice your presentation!
Week 13 Monday May 4
Activities Final Presentations; Peer evaluations; Revised, printed outline w/Works Cited due
Week 14 Monday May 11
Activities Final Presentations; Peer evaluations; Revised, printed outline w/Works Cited due
Week 15 Monday May 18
Activities Final Presentations; Peer evaluations; Revised, printed outline w/Works Cited due

ID Learning Outcomes/Assessment Methods

LEARNING OUTCOMES: ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Purposefully connect and integrate across-discipline knowledge and skills to solve problems Quizzes require definition of key terms and theories from psychology, public health, communication studies and other disciplines.
Synthesize and transfer knowledge across disciplinary boundaries Guest speakers provide interdisciplinary perspectives.
Comprehend factors inherent in complex problems Factors contributing to health outcomes include attitudes/beliefs, lifestyle/ behaviors, income, education, reading ability, etc.
Recognize varied perspectives Biomedical rationality compared to ‘every day’ rationality. Cultural attitudes towards health contrasted.
Gain comfort with complexity and uncertainty Case examples and readings show there is no ‘one size fits all’ formula for communication. Student writings are assessed comprehension of this.
Think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively Critical thinking skills developed through reading, quizzes, prompts. Assessment of effective communication.

Class Policies

Humanities Department Policy on Absences/Lateness

It is the conviction of the Humanities department that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time includes not just absences but also lateness, early departures, and time outside the classroom taken by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class. A student is required to take the responsibility of keeping track of his/her own absence from class. When it exceeds four hours, he or she should make an appointment to discuss the problem with the professor. The professor keeps accurate, detailed records of all absences from class, and may assign a WU grade (withdrew unofficially) to any student who exceeds that limit.

Academic Integrity at City Tech

“Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.” (NYCCT Policy on Academic Integrity).

Plagiarism is not tolerated. Any information you find on the web, at the library or in books must be cited in 3 places: In a Works Cited section, in-text and out loud while giving your presentation. If you plagiarize you are given one warning. Further offenses result in a grade of F in the course.

Religious Holidays and Observances

In accordance with University policies, students should notify the instructor before missing class due to a religious observance or holiday.

Make-Up Policies

Because of scheduling difficulties for in-class assignments, quizzes, and presentations, make-up work is only possible in the case of documented medical emergencies.

Disability/Medical Accommodations Statement

City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility at 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718 260 5143, or http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/. Students who miss a scheduled presentation or exam due to illness or medically related emergencies will be referred to the Center for Student Accessibility. The CSA will review any documentation requested and give the student a letter to share with the relevant instructor if accommodations need to be made.

Humanities Department Commitment to Student Diversity

The Humanities Department complies with the college wide nondiscrimination policy and seeks to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity in its many forms and enhances our students’ ability to be informed, global citizens. Through our example, we demonstrate an appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures and the unique forms of expression that make us human.