Thesis (Ph. D.)--Syracuse University, 2009. / "Publication number: AAT 3385099."

Thesis (PH.D.) -- Syracuse University, 2007. / "Publication number AAT 3266297"

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 1999. Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-154). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ39195.

Emerging infectious diseases are one of the growing risks the global community faces. From recent experiences of the bird flu and SARS outbreaks, we have learned how quickly and broadly a virus could spread, and how great the impact it could have on our lives. The outbreaks have highlighted the importance of risk communication. The media, as a major source of health information for the public, has been recognized as an important public health tool for communicating health risk during a pandemic. However, to what extent the media can help during an outbreak and what impact news coverage can have on the public is not clear. While many risk communication research related to infectious diseases focus on the public’s perception and responses to risk, related studies of news media content from a public health perspective are comparatively few. Existing studies generally focus on particular aspects of media coverage, such as sensationalism and the socio-cultural effects of the coverage. Findings from these studies are diverse. Also, most studies look at the English-language media, and studies on the Chinese-language media are sparse. This study examines how and what the news media reported about the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, using Hong Kong’s Chinese-language media coverage as a case. Based on content analysis and news frame analysis, and the concepts of perceived severity and efficacy in risk message process theories, an analytical scheme was constructed to examine to what extent the media provided “useful” information to the public, and how this information was presented. The analysis of newspaper content on swine flu focused on three aspects: Firstly, to examine the volume of coverage related to the pandemic and the relationship between the reporting trends and the disease’s development; secondly, to identify information about disease prevention measures presented in the news content; and thirdly, to describe how the media portrayed the new H1N1 vaccine, in an attempt to draw inferences about the public’s response to the vaccine. Results showed that the news reporting trend had no relationship with the infection case numbers. What triggered the peaks of coverage were event-oriented and government policy-related developments rather than case numbers. Content analysis showed that only a small proportion of the news stories presented health information, with particular prevention measures mentioned frequently but with limited explanation for how and why to do it. Frame analysis showed that the selected newspapers differed in framing the new vaccine. While the tabloid-styled papers tended to use more disfavor-vaccine frame, the up-market newspapers tended to use more favour-vaccine frame. Due to the limitation of the theoretical framework that this study is based on, it is not able to link the findings of the news content with the findings of the existing studies on public’s perception to the disease and related issues. However, the findings can provide an account of some characteristics of the news coverage of the Hong Kong Chinese-language media during a global public health crisis, which may serve as primary data for further study. / published_or_final_version / Journalism and Media Studies Centre / Master / Master of Philosophy

Background / Objectives: Mental diseases are perceived as one of the highest stigmatised conditions in our society. Public knowledge of mental illness does not come from professional journals or medical authorities, but largely from mass media as it is a major and most convenient source of information. Media tends to portray mental illness with negative attitude, focusing on bizarre and unexplainable behaviours of patients with mental illness, and exaggerating the linkage between mental illness and aggressive behaviours. However, few studies have been conducted in Hong Kong focusing on media perspective on this. This study focuses on the research of media’s role on psychosis from the perspective and experience of media professionals, and to identify media’s functional role of whether it is fostering public awareness and reducing stereotypes towards psychosis or on the contrary intensifying stigma conditions in the community of Hong Kong. Methodology: This is a qualitative study that purposive sampling method was used to recruit 22 media professionals from various media background including news media, entertainment and creative media, as well as public service broadcasting. All participants had up to one hour’s face-to-face in-depth interview based on pre-set theme of area of discussion. Results: Majority of subjects is able to recognise psychosis symptoms such as hallucination and (mainly persecutory) delusions, but unknown factors and myths about psychosis are still existed among the subjects. Confusion between psychosis, multiple personality disorders and even psychopath is commonly observed. Suggesting that media portrayal on psychosis and other mental illnesses is instilled with negative and stigmatised attitude is not prevalent. Most subjects believe that local news media can still perform with a neutral attitude when reporting the issues related to psychosis and mental illness. However, insufficient exposure of discussion about the topic across media platforms may affect public accessibility on the knowledge of psychosis and mental illness. Anti-stigma programs can contribute mostly positive messages and images about psychosis, but quality and quantity of those programs and promotions have to be designed and planned in delicate and persistent manners so as to maximise the effectiveness. Conclusion: Media plays a constructive role in educating the public about mental illness, and can also perpetuate stereotype and undermine the efforts of public campaigns. Suggesting that media practitioners are recommended to learn more about the well-round knowledge of psychosis and mental illness issue. Indeed, increased communication between media and mental health agencies can benefit the mutual understanding and lead to cooperative approach to tackle social stigma against psychosis. Though media professionals agree that media has its own limitation in terms of highly competitive broadcasting time and editorial space, most suggested that envisioned educational plan is an essential and influential method in removing public stigma and stereotype about psychosis. / published_or_final_version / Psychological Medicine / Master / Master of Psychological Medicine

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Helen Lenskyj.

Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 7, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Use of the Internet can increase patients' understanding about their medical conditions and offers opportunities to strengthen the patient-physician relationship, increase patient satisfaction, and improve health outcomes. However, physicians vary widely in the extent to which they accept patient online medical information seeking and make it part of the patient-physician relationship. This paper explores factors impacting the extent to which physicians advocate (encourage, speak in favor, or are supportive of) patient internet use. Specifically, using social cognitive theory as a theoretical base, this study develops a model of the determinants of physician advocation of patient use of the internet for information about medical conditions and treatments. Survey data collected from a random sample of 179 physicians licensed to practice medicine in Florida is used to test the proposed model. Proxy efficacy for patient internet use, social efficacy for enlisting patient internet use, performance outcomes expectations, and personal outcome expectations are shown to be significant determinants of physician professional advocation of patient internet use. In addition to its direct impact, proxy efficacy is shown to influence intention to advocate patient internet use indirectly thru social efficacy and outcome expectations, demonstrating the key role of this construct in the proxy agency model. Self-efficacy, in contrast, is not found to be a significant factor. Overall, the results support the proposed model of technology use. / by Neil Morton. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

No description available.

Thesis (MA)--University of Montana, 2009. / Contents viewed on November 24, 2009. "Major Subject: Communication Studies" Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.