Welcome to the Health and Risk Communication Lab

At the Health and Risk Communication Lab (HRCL) at the University Hospital of Bonn, we study and identify ways to improve doctor-patient communication. Our aim is to understand how health information should be communicated so that individuals can make informed decisions about their health. Another core question of our research is how to encourage people to lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Our research combines experimental, quantitative, and qualitative methods. In controlled laboratory and online studies, we analyze how health information is perceived, processed, and evaluated. In addition, we conduct field studies to capture decision-making processes in everyday contexts. To do so, we use digital data collection tools such as smartphones or tablets, as well as realistic study environments—for example, to investigate dietary choices or preventive behaviors. This approach allows us to better understand how context, presentation format, and individual factors interact when people evaluate health information and make decisions.

It is important to us that the results of our research find their way into practice. Therefore, we are also involved in science communication and work with numerous partners in practice. The laboratory is part of the Institut of General Practice and Family Medicine.