Abstract

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.