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My research explores the role of narratives in perpetuating stigma, challenging inequities, and building healthier futures. I am particularly interested in contexts marked by power inequalities, communication challenges, and ethical tensions. Additionally, I investigate how narrative medicine, community engagement, and advocacy can be integrated into undergraduate and health professions education.
Some of my recent and ongoing research projects include listening to the stories and meanings of risk voiced by transgender people who participate in do-it-yourself hormone replacement therapy and developing curricula in storytelling for introductory oral communication courses. A new project under development will consider how story-sharing to generative AI vs. live human conversational partners affects relational and health outcomes.
Sample Refereed Journal Publications
Sample Refereed Journal Publications
DIY HRT as Liberatory Harm Reduction
DIY HRT as Liberatory Harm Reduction
August-Rae, B. C., Baker, J. T., & Buzzanell, P. M. (2024). “Not just rebellious, it’s revolutionary”: Do-it-yourself hormone replacement therapy as Liberatory Harm Reduction. Social Science & Medicine, 345, 116681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116681
Agency & Justice in Pelvic Exams
Agency & Justice in Pelvic Exams
Cusanno, B. R. (2023). “What do you do if they say ‘no’?”: Agency, materiality, and justice in pelvic exams. Health Communication, 38(5), 1065–1070. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2159134
Dilemmas in Doctor-Patient Communication
Dilemmas in Doctor-Patient Communication
Baker, J. T., Cusanno, B. R., & Dean, M. (2023). Dilemmas in patient-clinician communication about do-it-yourself hormone therapy: A qualitative study. SSM-Qualitative Research in Health, 3, 100213.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100213
Making Sense of Medications
Making Sense of Medications
Cusanno, B.R., Dean Kruzel, M. & Silva, V.T. (2021). ‘I’m worth saving’: Making sense of medication taking in a care coordination organization. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.192073
Communication About Sex Work
Communication About Sex Work
Basu, A., Ketheeswaran, N., & Cusanno, B. R. (2020). Localocentricity, mental health and medical poverty in communication about sex work, HIV and AIDS among trans women engaged in sex work. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 24(1), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2020.181752
Rhetorics of Reproductive Justice
Rhetorics of Reproductive Justice
Cusanno, B.R. & Ketheeswaran, N. (2020). Rhetorics of reproductive injustice, motherhood, and agency in healthcare providers’ narratives. Reflections, 20(2).
Sample Book Chapters & Encyclopedia Entries
Sample Book Chapters & Encyclopedia Entries
Writing 55-word Stories for Healthcare
Writing 55-word Stories for Healthcare
Cusanno, B. R., Davidson, L. G., & Ketheeswaran, N. (2022). Fostering vulnerability, making brave spaces, and transforming worlds in 55 words: Writing 55-word stories for healthcare teaching, research, and practice. In L. M. Harter & B. L. Peterson (Eds.), Imagining new normals. Brave space-making through storytelling (pp. 319–348). Kendall Hunt.
Medication Adherence
Medication Adherence
Cusanno, B. R. (2022). Adherence (medication). In E. Y. Ho, C. L. Bylund, J. C. Van Weert, I. Basnyat, N. Bol, & M. Dean (Eds.), International encyclopedia of health communication. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0671
Improving Patient & Clinician Communication Skills
Improving Patient & Clinician Communication Skills
Cusanno, B. R., Ketheeswaran, N., & Bylund, C. L. (2021). Improving clinician and patient communication skills. In T. L. Thompson & N. Grant Harrington (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of health communication (3rd ed., pp. 194–212). Routledge.
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