CFP: The Ethics of Health Communication

Health care and medicine are technical disciplines. However, they demand effective communication with those who are not experts in the relevant technical areas: patients, families, politicians, and the general public. Health care workers, public health professionals, health economists and other health professionals are thus often confronted with circumstances demanding communication skills, often where ineffective communication can lead to serious consequences. Examples where communication is key in healthcare contexts include  how public health officials should communicate risk to public audiences, how doctors should communicate uncertainty to patients, when and whether it is appropriate for medical professionals to raise ethical issues with patients, how medical students should be taught to communicate, the use of inclusive language in maternity services, and the role of communication in the democratisation of healthcare decision-making, for instance through Patient and Public Involvement.

This call is for an *early career* speaker, defined as someone who has not yet held a permanent academic position. The topic can be interpreted broadly. Depending on the topic, early career speakers will either be placed on a panel with other speakers, or given an independent slot. Submitting an abstract also implies a willingness to contribute to a potential edited collection following the conference. The conference will take place in London, UK. Please email to ask about travel and accommodation funding.

Please submit an anonymised abstract of 100-300 words, as well as a very brief CV in a separate document outlining current and past positions, to [email protected] by 2pm (UK time) on 3 March 2025.