University News

WIU Communication Professor Co-Writes Medical Communication Book

August 1, 2024


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MOLINE, IL - - "Medical Communication, Physical and Psychological Wellness," a book written by Western Illinois University Communication Assistant Professor Theodore A. Avtgis and colleagues, covers communication-related issues within healthcare that lead to thousands of deaths annually. Communication is a primary factor in most medical errors resulting in unnecessary injury, loss of patients and great financial burden to the healthcare industry.

"The third edition of Medical Communication serves to create a more health-conscious society by presenting unique and groundbreaking perspectives on communication in the practice of everyday healthcare which, in the end, increases patient safety and literacy," Avtgis said.

This book includes cutting-edge information needed to navigate today's culture of medicine, healthcare and public health.

Some key points of the book include:


  • Covering a variety of communication areas including social support, team communication, health literacy, professionalism and ethics.

  • Overcoming the existing "turf" wars that currently exist between and among disciplines by integrating research from disciplines such as communication, public health, medicine, psychology and philosophy.

  • Providing hundreds of research references for healthcare practitioners and scholars.

  • Addressing the post-pandemic emergence of online treatment with a chapter emphasizing mental health professionals and unique challenges to the practice of telemedicine.


"This text has been utilized in educating emerging and practicing healthcare practitioners as to the centrality and necessity of communication in the everyday practice of medical treatment, healing, and public health since 2010. Along with my new co-author team, this new edition introduces important concepts of mental health practice and logistical concerns regarding communication and system-wide implications," Avtgis said.

For more information on this book, contact Avtgis at ta-avtgis@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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