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 develop suitable illustrations and decision aids for General Practice that enable patients to make informed decisions about health risks. Another core question of our research is how to encourage people to lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
We use a variety of research methods in our projects. On the one hand, our lab conducts behavioral science experiments at computer workstations set up for this purpose. Here, we investigate perceptual and cognitive processing of health and risk communication, for example by using an eye-tracker. On the other hand, we study health behavior in the field and use smartphones or tablets to capture behavior “where the action takes place”. We are also equipped with a buffet of authentic food replicas which allows us to study dietary choices in a realistic environment.
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.
Qëndresa Rramani Dervishi and her collaborators have published the results of an fMRI study comparing the discounting behaviour and related brain responses for different types of reward.
In March, the book "Inspiring Change: How to Influence Behaviour for a Better World" was published, and our team member Dr. Julia Meis-Harris contributed as a co-author to the development of the BehaviourWorks Method.
In February, Dr. Julia Meis-Harris gave a talk at the University of Melbourne on our current projects and met with the Director of BehaviourWorks Australia (Monash University).
Prof. Dr. Simone Dohle and colleagues have published new research findings from the "Implicit Theories" project.
Our Mission
We want to empower patients to make informed decisions about their health. For this purpose, we develop evidence-based and easy-to-understand health information that can be applied in practice.
Overview
Learn more about our research, our team, and how you can participate in one of our studies.
Research
Are you interested in our research? Get more information here.
Team
Would you like to know who works at the Health and Risk Communication Lab?
Participate
Would you like to contribute to our research? You are welcome to participate in one of our studies.