Recorded presentation

Suzy Walker, RN, BSN¹, Nicole F. Kozma, MPH¹, Bruce W. Clements, MPH², and Ricardo J. Wray, PhD³. (1) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314.977.8165, walkersd@slu.edu, (2) Saint Louis University, School of Public Health, Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections, 3545 Lafayette Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63104, (3) Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104

Issue: Current crisis media communication training methods usually consist of either expensive, one-on-one coaching or distance learning programs that do not allow interaction or hands-on learning experiences. A less expensive program with interaction between instructors and participants is needed. Content should address specific terrorist threats.

Project: CSB and the HCRL at Saint Louis University sponsored a training workshop that taught principles of communicating effectively with the media during a terrorist crisis. Public health, healthcare, and first-responder professionals participated in a one-day pilot workshop in June 2004, in Saint Louis, Missouri. This workshop aimed to fill the gap between expensive one-on-one training and lecture-based distance learning programs.

Workshop objectives included describing information needs following terrorist events, identifying local and national information resources, introducing pre-event messages developed on plague, botulism, radiological devices, and VX nerve agents, delineating professional newscasters’ communication practices, and describing effective communication strategies when working with television, radio, and print media.

Leading bioterrorism experts and media communication professionals provided an academic perspective and real life application of communication principles. Workshop also included interactive exercises. Findings from this pilot workshop will serve as a prototype for public health crisis communication curriculum development.

Plan: Results of this workshop and subsequent curriculum will be presented.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

• an understanding of the need for public health crisis media communication training,
• introduction to pre-event messages on plague, botulism, radiological devices, and VX,
• knowledge of an innovative workshop designed to provide crisis media communication principles and exercises to practice applying these principles

Keywords: Communication, Media Message

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation