Patienthood and Communication

Peter M. Kellett (Ph.D. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale) is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at The University of North Carolina, Greensboro. His work centers on the various ways that personal narratives and personal narrative methodology can help promote understanding, empowerment, health and wellness, and a more just and fair world through communication.

Acknowledgements – Introduction: Health Communication—An Eye-Patient’s View – Year 1: Mid-May 2011 to Mid-May 2012 – A Double Bulls-Eye – Six Months to Rebalance – First Injection: December 23rd 2011 – Second Injection: January 20th 2012 – Third Injection: February 17th 2012 – Fourth Injection: March 20th 2012 – Fifth Injection: April 20th 2012 – Year 2: Mid-May 2012 to Mid-May 2013 – Sixth Injection: May 25th 2012 – Seventh Injection: July 27th 2012 – Three Month Follow-Up: October 26th 2012 – Six Month Check-Up: April 26th 2013 – Year 3: Mid-May 2013 to Early July 2014 – The Summer of Love – Stability: Living and Working as Well as I Could – Year 4: July 2014–July 2015 – Unanswered Questions—In Search of What, When, and Why? – A New Diagnosis and Learning Self-Advocacy – Disease as Relational and Family Narratives – Getting to the End of a Good Year—Getting to Miami – Year 5: July 2015–July 2016 – Sharing Experiences – Red Dots, Invitations, and the Communication of Care – Social Media, Connectedness, Struggle and Hope – Towards the End of Year Five – Index.

"This book is powerful, poignant, and illustrative of the ways communication enables individuals to adjust to serious and potentially debilitating health threats. I really like the insights provided in the book about interactions with health care providers, family members, colleagues, students, and others across the trajectory of the author's health journey. The coverage in the chapters of self-disclosure and social support are especially meaningful. I also like the profound self-reflectiveness in the book, describing changes in the author's self-image and life plans, illustrating the importance of adaptation and flexibility. Finally, I really like the positive communication theme that runs through the book as a critical communication orientation for promoting control over our lives through successful patient-hood!"

—Gary Kreps, Ph.D., FAAHB
University Distinguished Professor, Department of Communication
Director, Center for Health and Risk Communication
George Mason University