PhD in Communication - Health Communication in Norman United States | University of Oklahoma

The OU Department of Communication's Health Communication program focuses on three key research domains: (1) interpersonal health communication, (2) health promotion initiatives, and (3) organizational health communication. Interpersonal health communication investigates how people navigate illness experiences through social relationships. Researchers in this field study how health literacy, communication skills, and social networks influence patients' interactions with healthcare professionals, family members, and support systems. Health promotion research employs public health approaches to study behavior change strategies, examining effective health education methods and campaign techniques. Scholars analyze message design, psychological influences on message reception, and campaign impact assessment. Organizational health communication explores topics like community health programs, healthcare provider experiences, medical ethics, team dynamics, and professional stress management. Current faculty projects emphasize community health initiatives, medical ethics, and physician integration. With the OU-Norman campus located near medical campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, researchers frequently collaborate across locations with physicians and graduate students. The program's strong intercultural communication focus also leads to international research projects that examine the cultural dimensions of health and illness management.