Keywords: argumentation theory, health communication, health promotion, automated systems, interactivity.
There is growing interest in the development of automated systems to provide
health services to patients and consumers. While the value that these types
of applications can offer to the community in terms of cost, access, and convenience
is clear, there are still major challenges facing design of effective
health communication systems. One main challenge is the failure on one-way
communication, in the form of passive dissemination of health information.
Interactivity between health professionals and consumers is the attribute of communication
with the greatest implication for consumers' participation in both
the process and content of communication. Technologies enables interactivity.
Argumentation theory offers models of critical discussion. The two fields have
been linked, but where are we concretely? This paper provides a critical review
of the integration between argumentation theory and technologies in the field
of health communication.