As I reflect to the beginning of this Health Communication course, I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed it at a Graduate level. The content of the course has provided great insight into the importance of communication as it pertains to one’s health and wellness. Additionally, the writing requirements for the course have allowed me to expand on and apply the concepts learned throughout the course. Being able to read about my classmates’ different approaches and perspectives to the course material through our discussion boards was particularly enlightening. I also found that referencing my own personal experiences with health communication allowed me to connect with the material which translated into my writing. While each of the course modules were meaningful to gaining a deeper understanding of how communication plays a role in our overall health and wellness, there were a few that stood out to me personally. Engaging in discussions concerning health literacy issues, health campaigns, stigma, and identity threats, and “end-of-life” experiences I have gained greater discernment into the value and significance of health communication.
Each of the modules referenced above provided an opportunity for a rich learning experience on health communication. To examine health literacy issues, I considered the circumstances surrounding my own lupus diagnosis as it pertained to understanding the language and relationships forged within the health system. It also highlighted the need for hiring specialists in communication who can serve as liaisons between patients and providers within a patient’s care network. To explore the process of creating health campaigns, and their impacts, I used the “Four Design Stages of Health Promotion Campaigns” to design a flyer tackling the sleep deprivation problem within the Millennial generation. The flyer focused on a fictitious Zoom conference where attendees would learn more about how to combat the detriments of sleep deprivation through tools that encourage better sleeping habits, engaging their interest in attending by emphasizing the staggering statistics that led to their self-labeling as the “stressed and depressed” generation. To address stigma and identity threats that are often faced by those who manage health issues, I analyzed the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide – a personal topic for me as a suicide loss survivor. In connecting my own personal experience, the course material, and research on stigma and mental health, I argued that talking about mental health is the best way to combat the stigma associated with it. In normalizing openly talking about mental health and mental illness, we can eliminate one of the greatest barriers to seeking treatment and open the path to more people taking the first step to getting the help they need. Lastly, again utilizing personal experience as a foundation, I reviewed Trauma Management Theory as it pertains to managing “end-of-life” experiences. I first explored this dynamic as it concerned the Covid19 epidemic to bring a societal dimension to the conversation. And while at times a sad and uncomfortable topic for many, I also reflected on my own personal experiences with these situations to dive deep into the discussion and impart some valuable knowledge and insight into this topic. I was incredibly moved to receive a heartfelt and personal response to my post from a fellow classmate, which I greatly appreciated. Further, this module presented vital information for me to consider as I seek to become certified in grief coaching.
Health Communication will be a vital component in my work as a coach. As I begin the work to become certified in the specialties I will be working in and start the process of launching my coaching business, there are several aspects of the course that will lend to my success. The first is in recognizing the importance of health communication on, especially positive communication, in health and wellness. As a coach, combining this positive health communication with positive psychology will provide a solid foundation for my clients to navigate whatever challenges they are facing with confidence. Being mindful of my client’s potential health literacy issues and stigma/identity threats they may be facing will allow me to tailor my coaching according to client needs and capabilities. As previously mentioned, a thorough understanding of the complexities of trauma and grief equips me to better assist clients who find themselves working to heal from these unfortunate situations. Perhaps the most important health communication component that will undoubtedly be crucial in my coaching work will be the concept of patient-centered care. Starting every coaching session remembering that my clients are real people with real concerns and challenges coming to me for guidance and support in navigating their way from surviving to thriving will set the foundation for a successful coaching practice.
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