Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Mass Communications
Major Professor
Janelle Applequist, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Gregory Perreault, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Mildred Perreault, Ph.D.
Keywords
cultivation theory, Edutainment television, Health communication, medical dramas, uses and gratifications
Abstract
This study qualitatively examined how edutainment television portrayed the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient experience, and whether it reflects the real-life CRC patient experience. This was done by first facilitating a textual analysis of edutainment television episodes from popular medical dramas and the docuseries Country Ever After. Interviews with real-life CRC patients were then facilitated to gather perspectives on whether edutainment television’s depictions were reflective of their experiences. This study utilized cultivation theory to identify whether edutainment television reinforces stigmas about the CRC patient experience. Additionally, uses and gratifications theory was implemented to investigate how CRC patients interact with media platforms to seek health information. Findings showed that participants preferred the docuseries as a more accurate embodiment of life with CRC. Additionally, CRC patients value information from support groups, search engines, and their healthcare providers. Although CRC patients do not use edutainment television to actively seek health information, repeated exposure can still cultivate beliefs and stigmas about CRC among audiences. Overall, CRC patients suggest that edutainment television provide audiences with better advocacy for CRC screening.
Scholar Commons Citation
Fisher, Allison M., "From the Patient’s Perspective: Understanding the Colorectal Cancer Patient Experience Portrayed in Edutainment Television" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10188
