A comparative study of the utility of new media technologies and power distance in doctor-patient communication in the Philippines and the United States

Bessie Lawton; Meghan Mahoney; Lukas Pelliccio

doi:10.36923/jicc.v15i2.696

Open Access Article Communication

Bessie Lawton ⁽¹⁾ , Meghan Mahoney ⁽²⁾ , Lukas Pelliccio ⁽³⁾

1. Associate Professor Department of Communication Studies

2. West Chester University - USA

3. West Chester University - USA

https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v15i2.696

Issue
Vol. 15 No. 2 (2015)

Submitted
2013 December 11

Published
2015 July 10

Keywords:

power distance, new media technologies, in-depth interview, Philippines, United States, physicians

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Abstract

This study’s purpose was to examine the role of power distance in physicians’ desired impression by patients, as well as doctors’ attitudes toward utilizing new media technologies. Qualitative interviews were conducted in the United States and the Philippines - which have divergent power distance scores. Results revealed three major themes. First, power distance was manifested in how each country’s doctors wanted to be perceived by patients. The second theme was that doctors perceived today’s patients to be more informed than in the past; however, Philippine doctors viewed this as a challenge while U.S. doctors viewed it as an opportunity to initiate conversation. The third theme identified differences in litigation concerns, which influenced attitudes toward using new media technologies in their practice.

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Authors

Bessie Lawton

(Primary Contact)

Meghan Mahoney

Lukas Pelliccio

Author Biographies

Bessie Lawton

Bessie Lawton, Ph.D., received her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University. Her research interests are intercultural and interracial communication.

Meghan Mahoney

Meghan Mahoney, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University. Her research focuses on entertainment education and new media studies.

Lukas Pelliccio

Lukas Pelliccio graduated from West Chester University with an MA in Communication. He is a doctoral student at Wayne State University.

Lawton, B., Mahoney, M., & Pelliccio, L. (2015). A comparative study of the utility of new media technologies and power distance in doctor-patient communication in the Philippines and the United States. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 15(2), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v15i2.696

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