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 Medicine¹.