Advice from Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

This chapter reviews the research and theory related to advice in health contexts. The focus is on interpersonal advice offered face-to-face or by phone from health professionals to laypeople. The first part of the chapter discusses who gives advice to whom and who seeks advice. Next, three elements that impact advice efficacy and utilization are considered: source factors, message factors, and receiver factors. The chapter then discusses the development and application of theories of advice in health contexts and identifies areas for future research. Finally, the chapter offers guidelines for those professionals in a position to provide health advice.