The Health Belief Model (HBM) posits that messages will achieve optimal behavior change if they successfully target perceived barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, and threat. While the model seems to be an ideal explanatory framework for communication research, theoretical limitations have limited its use in the field. Notably, variable ordering is currently undefined in the HBM. Thus, it is unclear whether constructs mediate relationships comparably (parallel mediation), in sequence (serial mediation), or in tandem with a moderator (moderated mediation). To investigate variable ordering, adults (N = 1,377) completed a survey in the aftermath of an 8-month flu vaccine campaign grounded in the HBM. Exposure to the campaign was positively related to vaccination behavior. Statistical evaluation supported a model where the indirect effect of exposure on behavior through perceived barriers and threat was moderated by self-efficacy (moderated mediation). Perceived barriers and benefits also formed a serial mediation chain. The results indicate that variable ordering in the Health Belief Model may be complex, may help to explain conflicting results of the past, and may be a good focus for future research.

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As end-of-life care becomes a more prominent issue in health care, it is important to address the experience from the caregivers' perspective. In order to cope with the stressful experience of caring for a dying patient, nurses need programmes that both help them develop coping strategies and prepare them for caring for dying patients as well as resources to help them cope with the experience once it has happened. Because little is known about the coping habits of nurses facing the death of a patient, research is needed that examines their coping responses to develop more effective resources. This research examines the resources that nurses use when coping with the death of a patient. The results of this research indicate that communication with patients and their families, as well as coworkers, is an integral part of that process.

The nursing shortage continues to be a problem in the United States, in part, owing to the experience of stress and burnout by practicing nurses. With an ageing population, the stress of caring for dying patients and their families is one reason for the high levels of stress and burnout. Although we know that caring for dying patients is stressful for nurses, there is little information about the specific aspects of that experience that concern them. In order to alleviate the stress and to help nurses cope more effectively with this situation, this research examined the aspects of caring for a dying patient that cause concern for nurses. This study used a grounded theory approach to examine the experiences of nurses and their particular concerns about caring for a dying patient. Nurses expressed personal concerns, concerns about the patient and their families, which include communication challenges with both patients and families.

Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer now includes practitioners from multiple healthcare professions, specialties, and settings. This study examined whether non-genetics professionals (NGPs), perform guideline-based patient intake and informed consent before genetic testing. NGPs offering BRCA testing services in Florida (n = 386) were surveyed about clinical practices. Among 81 respondents (response rate = 22%), approximately half reported: sometimes scheduling a separate session for pretest counseling lasting 11–30 minutes prior to testing, discussing familial implications of testing, benefits and limitations of risk management options, and discussing the potential psychological impact and insurance related issues. Few constructed a three-generation pedigree, discussed alternative hereditary cancer syndromes, or the meaning of a variant result. This lack of adherence to guideline based practice may result in direct harm to the patients and their family members. NGPs that are unable to deliver guideline adherent cancer genetics services should focus on identification and referral of at-risk patients to in person or telephone services provided by genetics professionals.

Public dissemination of scientific research often focuses on the finding (e.g., nanobombs kill lung cancer) rather than the uncertainty/limitations (e.g., in mice). Adults (N = 880) participated in an experiment where they read a manipulated news report about cancer research (a) that contained either low or high uncertainty (b) that was attributed to the scientists responsible for the research (disclosure condition) or an unaffiliated scientist (dueling condition). Compared to the dueling condition, the disclosure condition triggered less prevention-focused cancer fatalism and nutritional backlash.

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Messages increasing dispositional worry and benefits while decreasing barriers may boost vaccination behavior during a pandemic event. Future study of relationships between dispositional worry and HBM variables is warranted.