This book focuses on the complexities of the communication of health-related messages and information through the use of case studies. The expert contributors to this volume are scholars who, during their research and consulting, grapple with many of the issues of concern to those studying health communication. While several introductory books offer brief case studies to illustrate concepts covered, this book provides in-depth cases that enable more advanced students to apply theory to real situations.

Contents: E.B. Ray, Introduction. Part I:Issues in Medical Training.K.I. Miller, Learning to Care for Others and Self: The Experience of Medical Education. A.A. Marshall, Whose Agenda Is It Anyway?: Training Medical Residents in Patient-Centered Interviewing Techniques. D.H. Smith, W. Harris, Communication and Case-Based Ethics: Issues in Medical Training and Practice. Part II:Issues in Caregiver-Recipient Roles.R. Parrott, Pediatrician-Parent Conversation: A Case of Mutual Influence. D. O'Hair, K. McNeilis, Advocates for the Elderly Patient: Negotiation of Patient and Physician Roles. J.F. Nussbaum, L.M. Bettini, Finding the Right Place: Life in a Nursing Home. Part III:Issues in Medical Care.T.L. Thompson, C. Gillotti, From Labor to the NICU: The Journey of a Premature Baby and Her Parents. B.D. Sypher, Denying Patient Autonomy: Seeking Second Opinions in a Health Crisis. E. Zook, Diagnosis HIV/AIDS: Caregiver Communication in the Crisis of Terminal Illness. Part IV:Issues in Social Support.R.J.W. Cline, M.F. Boyd, Communication as Threat and Therapy: Stigma, Social Support, and Coping with HIV Infection. D.O. Braithwaite, "Isn't It Great That People Like You Get Out?": The Process of Adjusting to Disability. L.C. Lederman, "Friends Don't Let Friends Beer-Goggle": The Use and Abuse of Alcohol Among College Students. E.B. Ray, Caring for the Caregivers: Intraorganizational Stress and Support Issues in a Health Care Organization. Part V:Issues in Cultural Dynamics.G.B. Ray, Coping with Loss: Norms of Dependence and Independence in Appalachian Culture. S.O. Long, The Management of Mrs. Suzuki's Miscarriage: Communication and Social Relationships in Japan. M.C. Gonzalez, Is It Better Across the Border: Comparing Health Care in Mexico and the United States. Part VI:Issues in Health-Care Delivery.M. Hardesty, P. Geist, Communication as Hospital Dirty Work: The Neglected Task of Informing Patients About DRGs. J.G. Halsey, T.L. Albrecht, Challenges to Feminist Rights in Health-Care Systems: A Case of Social Justice in Work and Caregiving. C. Aydin, E. Eisenberg, L.B. Bolton, G. Popolow, Getting Back to Patient Care: Communication and Change at a Major Medical Center. Part VII:Issues in Information Dissemination.V.S. Freimuth, J.A. Stein, T.J. Kean, Talking with the Public About Cancer: The Cancer Information Service. G.L. Kreps, Disseminating State-of-the-Art Cancer Treatment Information: The Formative Evaluation of the Physician Data Query System.