Date of Award
5-2026
Culminating Project Type
Starred Paper
Styleguide
apa
Degree Name
Biological Sciences - Cell and Molecular: M.S.
Department
Biology
College
College of Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Matthew Davis
Second Advisor
Sarah Gibson
Third Advisor
Matthew Julius
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Communication, Medical Practitioners, Scientists, Communication Problems
Abstract
I
In this review, I systematically analyze and discuss some examples of communication breakdowns among medical practitioners, the scientific community, and the public, with a focus on the United States. Although these groups depend on one another, barriers in communication have contributed to misunderstandings and difficulty translating research into effective healthcare decisions. I will discuss some examples where scientists struggle to explain the practical significance of their findings, while medical practitioners face institutional pressures that make it difficult to incorporate new scientific findings. There also will be examples highlighting how the public has been increasingly exposed over time to misinformation, disinformation, and anti-intellectual skepticism towards expertise that has caused a mistrust of scientific and medical guidance. In addition, systematic biases against minorities such as the disability community facilitate a fundamental weakening of the good the groups can provide. These three groups have all contributed to and worsened their communication issues, but the issues are not irreversible. With understanding how the issues came to arise, as well as applying empathy and critical thinking, the communication barriers among the three groups can be remedied and alleviated.
Recommended Citation
Hansen, Katarina S., "A Review of Communication Difficulties Among Scientists, Medical Practitioners, and the Public" (2026). Culminating Projects in Biology. 93.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/biol_etds/93
Comments/Acknowledgements
Firstly, I want to express gratitude to my thesis chair and advisor, Dr. Matthew Davis. I have received good advice for a scientific career from him. I am also grateful to Dr. Matthew Julius and Dr. Sarah Z. Gibson, who have graciously agreed to review this paper. I want to thank my mother for her constant support.