Perception Of Disease In The Context Of Health Commuiıcation: Covid-19 As An Example

Abstract

Communication is not only the exchange of messages but also the most important tool that provides social change. Health communication is also important in order to solve the problems between people (patient-patient relatives-physician/health workers), meet their needs and complete the treatment process successfully. Health communication; contributes to social health by increasing the quality of life of individuals. Health communication also has important duties such as preventing the spread of epidemics and raising public awareness in this process.In cases where epidemics are tried to be prevented, the society's perception of the disease has a direct effect. Beliefs, experiences and personality traits of individuals affect how they perceive the disease and thus the course of the disease. In health communication, when health providers increase the perception of the disease, they control the process, direction and effects of the disease more easily. COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic in a short time due to its rate of transmission, adversely affected all areas of life. The increase in the number of cases and deaths, the unknown when the disease will disappear, and the fact that the vaccine has not been found for a long time caused first fear and then panic. The lack of sufficient information about this new virus, which suddenly entered people's lives, or the spread of incomplete information among the public creates a panic situation. In order to raise public awareness and provide accurate information, scientific studies have been carried out on COVID-19 in a short time since the outbreak of the epidemic, and articles on health communication have been brought to the literature.In this study, it was prepared to compile the studies on the coronavirus, which has social-based economic, social and psychological reflections, which affect the world, and the reflection of the COVID-19 pandemic on the society is included. It is anticipated that the content prepared in line with these contents will shed light on new studies.