Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has influenced the whole world from the moment it appeared. The epidemic had implications in many different areas of all countries of the world. Turkey is among the countries affected by the COVID-19. In this study, the uses of Twitter and the levels of informing the public of COVID-19 Science Committee Members in Turkey were examined. In this process, it was thought that the public needed more information about the epidemic. In this study, 10 COVID-19 Science Committee Members were determined by drawing lots. Their tweets on Twitter were investigated using both qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods. These tweets were analyzed within the categories determined according to content analysis. This study found that the Twitter posts of members of the scientific committee were important in informing the public.
TopHealth Communication
The health communication is one of the most important sub-disciplines of communication studies. The health communication has an important role in improving individual and social health. By using communication strategies, the awareness of the target audience about a health problem and its solution can be increased. The public health communication as a sociocultural practice has existed long ago. It goes as far as the first attempts to stimulate, educate and influence the behavior of individuals and communities facing public health problems (Salmon and Poorisat, 2020). The health communication includes accurate, accessible and understandable health information about health that is transmitted to target audiences to improve health. At the same time, the health communication is the scientific development, strategic dissemination and critical evaluation of this knowledge (Bernhardt, 2004: 2051).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Social media: It is a digital platform where simultaneous information sharing is captured by user convenience and communication speed, which is available with new communication technologies.
Health Science Committee: The board that provides advice on health-related issues, especially in times of major health-related problems.
Twitter: Twitter is an online microblogging with social networking functions.
Communication: Communication is the act of transferring emotions and thoughts from one entity or group to another through the use of understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules.
Health Communication: It is the common area of health and communication. It performs tasks such as raising awareness on health-related issues, offering solutions, and informing the public.
COVID–19: It is an infectious respiratory disease that originated in China in 2019 and spread around the world.
Epidemic: Disease that infects most of the people, animals, or plants in a short time.
Public Information: In democratic societies, public and private institutions make public statements in their decisions, actions, and transactions.