About

Shelly Hovick is an Associate Professor at the School of Communication at The Ohio State University. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa, an M.A. in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Ph.D. in Speech Communication from the University of Georgia. Her postdoctoral training includes being a Kellogg Health Scholar and participating in the Cancer Prevention Training Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on people’s perceptions of their risk for cancer and other chronic diseases, examining how individuals respond to health risks through information seeking and adopting prevention and early detection behaviors. She aims to identify social and cognitive predictors of health information seeking that contribute to health and communication disparities. From an applied perspective, her work involves developing communication strategies and tools, such as family health history and genetic risk communication tools, to increase prevention behaviors, reduce health disparities, and improve overall health outcomes.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Immunology
• Computer Security
• Internal medicine
• Applied psychology
• Geography
• Social psychology
• Gerontology
• Demography

Selected publications

• Application of a Concise Video to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Community and Academic Practice Settings

  medRxiv · 2026-03-06

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Purpose Tumor genomic testing (TGT) is standard-of-care for most patients with advanced/metastatic cancer. Despite established guidelines, patient education prior to TGT is frequently omitted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact and durability of a concise 3-4 minute video for patient education prior to TGT in community versus academic sites and across cancer types. Patients and Methods Patients undergoing standard-of-care TGT were enrolled at a tertiary academic institution in three cohorts: Cohort 1-breast cancer; Cohort 2-lung cancer; Cohort 3-other cancers. Cohort 4 consisted of patients with any cancer type similarly undergoing SOC TGT at one of three community cancer centers. Participants completed survey measures prior to video viewing (T1), immediately post-viewing (T2), and after return of TGT results (T3). Outcome measures included: 1) 10-question objective genomic knowledge/understanding (GKU); 2) 10-question video message-specific knowledge (VMSK); 3) 11-question Trust in Physician/Provider (TIPP); 4) perceptions regarding TGT. Results A total of 203 participants completed all survey timepoints. Higher baseline GKU and VMSK scores were significantly associated with higher income and greater years of education. For the primary objective, there was a significant and sustained improvement in VMSK from T1:T2:T3 (P overall p<0.0001), with no significant change in GKU (p=0.41) or TIPP (p=0.73). This trend was consistent within each cohort (all p≤0.0001). Results for four VMSK questions significantly improved, including impact on treatment decisions, incidental germline findings, and insurance coverage of testing. Conclusions A concise, 3-4 minute, broadly applicable educational video administered prior to TGT significantly and sustainably improved video message-specific knowledge in diverse cancer types and in academic and community settings. This resource is publicly available at http://www.tumor-testing.com , with a goal to efficiently educate and empower patients regarding TGT while addressing guidelines within the flow of clinical practice.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Examining the Impact of a Culture-Centric Narrative on COVID-19 Vaccines and Mental Wellness Among Latinos in the Midwest

  Journal of Health Communication · 2025-03-19

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  PublisherDOI

• Mediated intergroup and intragroup contact: Examining the effects of entertainment media on individuals diagnosed and never diagnosed with depression.

  Stigma and Health · 2025-04-07

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Current approaches and new directions for research and theorizing on health and risk information acquisition behavior

  Annals of the International Communication Association · 2025-07-28

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on health and risk information acquisition, focusing on current approaches to conceptualizing, theorizing, and measuring information acquisition. We argue the current focus on seeking and scanning limits our understanding of the complex phenomenon of information acquisition and that scholars should consider examining a broader range of behaviors. In addition to reviewing current theorizing on information seeking, we argue for more macro theories of information acquisition behavior that better consider the current information environment and situations under which individuals acquire information, as well as theories that better delineate the process and effects of seeking. We also discuss new methods for capturing and measuring information acquisition behavior and present a roadmap for future research.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract P2-12-21: A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Primary Results of a Prospective Intervention Trial

  Clinical Cancer Research · 2025-06-13

  article

  Abstract Background: Tumor genomic testing (TGT) has become standard-of-care for all patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Guidelines for patient education prior to TGT from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) are not widely followed. We have previously demonstrated disparities in general genomic knowledge across race and income. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a concise (3-4 minute) video for patient education prior to TGT in a prospective interventional trial. We report the results of the MBC cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05215769). Methods: We created a base animated video incorporating culturally diverse images, available in English and Spanish, applicable to any cancer type, with MBC-specific content included for patients with MBC. From March 2022 to June 2024, a total of 54 patients with MBC were enrolled at a single tertiary academic institution, and three community cancer centers. Participants completed validated survey instruments immediately prior to video viewing (T1), immediately post-viewing (T2) and after receipt of their own TGT results (T3). Instruments included: 1) 10-question objective genomic knowledge/understanding (GKU); 2) 10-question video message-specific knowledge/recall (VMSK); 3) 11-question Trust in Physician/Provider (TIPP); 4) attitudes around TGT. The primary objective was to assess change in VMSK between T1 and T2. A cohort of fifty patients provided 90% power to detect an effect size of 0.47 in change of recall accuracy from pre- to post-video using two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test with alpha of 0.05. The associations of VMSK, GKU, and TIPP with categorical demographic variables were explored with Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: To date 50 of the 54 patients with MBC enrolled have completed surveys at all timepoints. The MBC cohort had a median age of 57; all were female; most were Caucasian (49/54, 91%); most were married/in domestic partnership (41/54, 76%). For the primary endpoint, there was a significant increase in VMSK (p<0.001) but there was no significant change in GKU (p=0.89) or TIPP (p=0.59). Improvement of VMSK was consistent across demographic groups, including race/ethnicity, age, income, and education. Of the 10-questions in the VMSK survey, results for four questions significantly improved after viewing the video, including questions informing the likelihood of TGT impact on treatment decision, incidental germline findings, and cost of testing. However, the improvement seen was not consistently sustained at T3 in seven of ten questions. Higher baseline genomic knowledge was significantly associated with higher participant income. Conclusions: A single viewing of our concise, 3-4 minute, broadly applicable video incorporating culturally diverse images administered prior to TGT significantly improved VMSK across all demographic groups. While video content recall regressed over time, patient’s perception of the merits of TGT and their TIPP remained unchanged. This approach can be a valuable tool for empowering patients and educating them on the risks, benefits, and limitations of TGT in alignment with ASCO and ACMG guidelines. Citation Format: Deloris Veney, Lai Wei, Amanda E. Toland, Carolyn J. Presley, Tasleem J. Padamsee, Clara N. Lee, Heather Hampel, William J. Irvin, James Kim, Michael J. Bishop, Shelly R. Hovick, Leigha Senter, Daniel G. Stover. A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Primary Results of a Prospective Intervention Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024; 2024 Dec 10-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2025;31(12 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-21.

  PublisherDOI

• Understanding Drivers and Effects of Real-Time Information Seeking on Meningitis Knowledge and Attitudes

  Health Communication · 2025-09-11

  article

  = 83) answered a post-seeking survey. The results showed that perceived knowledge insufficiency and attitudes significantly predicted information seeking intention which, in turn, was related to actual decision to seek information. Additionally, those who sought information reported increased actual knowledge and decreased perceived knowledge insufficiency. Findings from this study have important implications for information behavior theory and provide valuable insights into where communicators might intervene with messages to promote information acquisition.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract PO1-10-07: A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Primary Results of a Prospective Intervention Trial

  Cancer Research · 2024-05-02

  article

  Abstract Background: Tumor genomic testing (TGT) has become standard-of-care for all patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines for patient education prior to TGT are not widely followed. We have previously demonstrated disparities in general genomic knowledge across race and income. The purpose of this study was to develop a concise (3-4 minute) video for patient education prior to TGT and evaluate the video’s impact in a prospective interventional trial. We report the results of the primary endpoint of the MBC cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05215769). Methods: We previously published our internal quality improvement cycle involving provider surveys, patient focus groups, and adult learning theory-based content development for TGT educational videos. An animated video incorporating culturally diverse images available in English and Spanish was created to be applicable to any cancer type, with MBC-specific content included for patients with breast cancer. A total of 150 participants were enrolled at a single tertiary academic institution, of whom 53 were diagnosed with MBC. Participants completed validated survey instruments immediately prior to video viewing (T1), immediately post-viewing (T2) and 60-90 days later, after TGT results were documented (T3). Instruments included: 1) 10-question objective genomic knowledge/understanding (GKU); 2) 10-question video message-specific knowledge/recall (VMSK); 3) 11-question Trust in Physician/Provider (TIPP); 4) attitudes regarding TGT. The primary objective was to assess change in VMSK between T1 and T2 and a cohort of 50 participants provided 90% power to detect an effect size of 0.47 from pre- to post-video using two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test with alpha of 0.05. Associations of VMSK, GKU, and TIPP with categorical demographic variables were explored with Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: From April 2022 to May2023, a total of 150 participants were enrolled (MBC n=53, lung cancer n=38, metastatic cancer of any type n=59). The MBC cohort analysis is presented. The MBC cohort had a median age of 59; all were female; majority Caucasian (48/53, 91%); most were married/in domestic partnership (35/53, 66%). For the primary endpoint, there was a significant increase in video message-specific knowledge (Wilcoxon signed rank p< 0.0001) but there was no significant change in general genomic knowledge (p=0.89) or trust in provider (p=0.59). Improvement of video message-specific knowledge was consistent across demographic groups, including age, income, and education. Of the 10-questions in the VMSK survey, results for four questions significantly improved after viewing the video, including questions informing the likelihood of TGT impact on treatment decision, incidental germline findings, and cost of testing (Table 1). Baseline genomic knowledge was significantly associated with income (nominal p=0.028), with higher income associated with higher baseline knowledge. Conclusions: A concise, 3-4 minute, broadly applicable video incorporating culturally diverse images administered prior to TGT significantly improved video message-specific knowledge across all demographic groups. Ongoing work includes analysis of additional cohorts (lung, any type) and evaluation in community oncology setting with a goal to provide a paradigm to efficiently educate and empower patients while addressing ASCO/ACMG guidelines within the flow of clinical practice. Table 1. Response to video message-specific questions before versus after tumor genomic testing educational video intervention Citation Format: Daniel Stover, Deloris Veney, Lai Wei, Amanda Toland, Carolyn Presley, Tasleem Padamsee, Clara Lee, Heather Hampel, William Irvin, Jawad Francis, Michael Bishop, Shelly Hovick, Leigha Senter. A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Primary Results of a Prospective Intervention Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-10-07.

  PublisherDOI

• A video intervention to improve patient understanding of tumor genomic testing in patients with cancer

  Cancer Medicine · 2024-09-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: Tumor genomic testing (TGT) is standard-of-care for most patients with advanced/metastatic cancer. Despite established guidelines, patient education prior to TGT is frequently omitted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a concise 4 min video for patient education prior to TGT. METHODS: Based on a quality improvement cycle, an animated video was created to be applicable to any cancer type, incorporating culturally diverse images, available in English and Spanish. Patients undergoing standard-of-care TGT were enrolled at a tertiary academic institution and completed survey instruments prior to video viewing (T1) and immediately post-viewing (T2). Instruments included: (1) 10-question objective genomic knowledge; (2) 10-question video message-specific knowledge; (3) 11-question Trust in Provider; (4) attitudes regarding TGT. RESULTS: A total of 150 participants were enrolled. For the primary objective, there was a significant increase in video message-specific knowledge (median 10 point increase; p < 0.0001) with no significant change in genomic knowledge/understanding (p = 0.89) or trust in physician/provider (p = 0.59). Results for five questions significantly improved, including the likelihood of TGT impact on treatment decision, incidental germline findings, and cost of testing. Improvement in video message-specific knowledge was consistent across demographic groups, including age, income, and education. CONCLUSIONS: A concise, 3-4 min, broadly applicable video incorporating culturally diverse images administered prior to TGT significantly improved video message-specific knowledge across all demographic groups. This resource is publicly available at http://www.tumor-testing.com, with a goal to efficiently educate and empower patients regarding TGT while addressing guidelines within the flow of clinical practice.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Improving processing fluency to encourage family health information seeking: The mediating role of communication efficacy

  Journal of Health Psychology · 2024-11-25 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author

  Drawing from the metacognitive literature, this experimental study examines how the relative ease of retrieving information (i.e. processing fluency) impacts individuals’ efficacy about engaging in family health discussions and interpersonal information seeking intention across two health topics: family organ donation status and family health history. Participants ( N = 609) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Those in the easy retrieval task condition (versus a difficult or no task control), who were asked to recall information regarding two (versus six or zero) family members, reported greater processing fluency. Moreover, those who reported greater fluency also reported higher communication efficacy, and a greater intention to seek out family health information. Practically, this study highlights how metacognitive strategies may be used in healthcare settings to motivate patient information seeking. For example, it may be advantageous to start by collecting information for relatively few diseases/family members and slowly build a family history over time.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract OT2-04-01: A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients With Metastatic Cancer

  Cancer Research · 2023-03-01

  article

  Abstract Background: Tumor genomic testing (TGT) has become increasingly adopted as part of standard cancer care for many cancers. Despite national guidelines around patient education prior to TGT, available evidence suggests that most patients’ understanding of genomics remains limited, particularly lower income and minority patients, and most patients are not informed regarding potential incidental germline findings. Purpose: The primary object of this ongoing clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of concise, animated videos to provide patient pre-test education prior to TGT as a supplement to patient-provider discussion. Trial Design: This prospective observational cohort study will enroll a total of 150 cancer patients in three clinical cohorts: Cohort 1: breast cancer (n=50); Cohort 2: lung cancer (n=50); Cohort 3: cancer patients of any tumor type (n=50). The primary objective is to assess change in patient knowledge of TGT following exposure to the video to evaluate the hypothesis that exposure to a brief educational video will increase patient knowledge about tumor genomic testing. Secondary objectives include assessing changes following exposure to the video, including: 1) genomic knowledge 2) trust in Physician 3) comparison of results between the three patient cohorts. Methods: Based on published guidelines around pre-TGT provider-patient education and patient focus groups and interviews, content for a series of videos was developed to standardize patient pretest education of TGT. A base animated video was created to be applicable to any cancer type; additional tumor type content was added for the breast and lung cancer-specific videos. Participant recruitment is occurring at The Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Eligibility criteria include: age 18 years or older, biopsy-confirmed cancer, and provider plan to undergo TGT. This study requires participants to complete surveys at three timepoints: before video viewing (T1), immediately after video viewing (T2), and after provider communicates TGT results to the patient (T3). Four survey instruments are completed at T1/T2/T3: video message-specific recall, objective genomic knowledge/understanding, the 11-item Trust in Physician, and attitudes around genetic/genomic testing. TGT intention surveys are captured at T1 and T2. Participant evaluation of the video is collected at T2. For the primary objective, we will use a two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test with alpha of 0.05, giving us 90% power to detect an effect size of 0.47 in change of recall accuracy from pre- to post- video intervention. All secondary outcomes will be summarized using descriptive statistics and compared pre-/post-video using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For comparisons of MBC and MLC, endpoints will include 1) baseline and pre-/post-video intervention change in genomic knowledge/understanding in MBC versus MLC patients; 2) baseline and pre-/post-video intervention change in trust in provider. The baseline and the change from pre- to post-video intervention in the secondary outcomes will be compared between MBC and MLC patients using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Conclusions: The long-term goal of this project is to test this broadly applicable, modular video-based intervention to be administered prior to tumor NGS to ensure equitable access to informed care. The use of a short video in this setting is innovative and we are demonstrating capacity to complete such a project. Study enrollment began March 30, 2022 and to date, 33 participants have enrolled (n=18 breast cancer; n=9 lung cancer; n=6 other cancer types). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05215769. Citation Format: Daniel Stover, Deloris Veney, Heather Hampel, Amanda E. Toland, Carolyn Presley, Tasleem Padamsee, Clara Lee, Shelly Hovick, Leigha Senter. A Video Intervention to Improve Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing in Patients With Metastatic Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-04-01.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Anna V. Wilkinson

  25 shared

• Laura M. Koehly

  National Human Genome Research Institute

  25 shared

• Sato Ashida

  University of Iowa

  25 shared

• Hendrik D. de Heer

  Northern Arizona University

  25 shared

• Amanda E. Toland

  14 shared

• Lee Ann Kahlor

  11 shared

• Leigha Senter

  Ohio University

  10 shared

• Susan K. Peterson

  The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

  8 shared