Li Biyun Nova

PhD student (FT)

HHB306
+852 3400 2069
biyun-nova.li@connect.polyu.hk

Biography

Chief Supervisor: Prof. Margo Turnbull
Co-supervisor: Prof. Stefano Occhipinti

Research Interests

Research

Title of thesis:

Exploring the needs of older Chinese adults to examine how digital health technologies shape and mediate their healthcare experiences

Description of thesis research:

This research seeks to investigate three key research objectives: identifying daily usage patterns of eHealth apps by older adults and analysing their needs and barriers; exploring how eHealth literacy influences their eHealth app engagement and health outcomes; and investigating factors that affect their app engagement. The research builds on PI Turnbull’s GRF project studying multilingual simulation-based communication training for nursing and medical students in Hong Kong. This project’s insights into effective patient communication will inform the development of medical technologies and AI systems designed to support healthcare, particularly for the ageing population who often struggle with digital tools.

Involvement in research groups, networks and projects:

Member of International Research Centre for the Advancement of Health Communication (IRCAHC)

Publications

Journal articles

Li, B., & Turnbull, M. (2024). The role of family doctors in developing primary care systems in Asia: a systematic review of qualitative research conducted in middle-income countries 2010-2020. BMC Primary Care, 25(1), 346.
Li, B., Watson, B., & Yung, A. (2025). When medical consultations are not face-to-face: a pilot study of patient-centred care communication during coronavirus disease 2019. mHealth, 11, 14.

Li, B., & Watson, B. (2022, June 22-25). Patients’ perceptions about online medical consultations (OMCs). The 17th International Conference on Language and Social Psychology (ICLASP17:2022), Hong Kong, China.
Li, B., & Turnbull, M. (2024, December 17-19). Emotional labour and professional identity of end-of-life care practitioners amidst COVID-19 in Hong Kong. The 14th International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Applied Linguistics and Professional Practice (ALAPP 2024), Hong Kong, China.
Li, B., & Turnbull, M. (2025, June 22-27). Breast cancer narratives among migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong: a feminist critical discourse analysis. The 19th International Pragmatics Conference (IPrA25), Brisbane, Australia.