Course info

Goal/ Intended Audience This course is intended for health practitioners who need to increase their ability to effectively communicate with the public, media, health care providers and response community during a public health emergency - in particular, during a bioterrorism event. Course Content There are three modules in this course: 1. "Following the Guidelines", begins with a webcast that describes major risk communication theories. You will then read a list of useful guidelines devised by two of the theorists, Covello and Sandman. Finally, you will apply these guidelines in a scenario in which a media spokesperson responds to questions after an act of bioterrorism. 2. "Creating a Message Map", begins with a webcast that defines what a message map is, and why it is useful in preparing statements for the media. You will then read a short article by Covello on how to create a message map, review a sample message map, and download a template. Finally, you will use the template to create a message map for another bioterrorism scenario in collaboration with other students in the course. 3. "Checklists and Other Resources", provides checklists of what is necessary to have in place on an administrative level in order to effectively communicate with the public, media, health care providers and response community during a bioterrorism event, and resources (scripts, outlines, etc.) to support effective and appropriate communication during an event. After completing this course you will be able to: - Follow risk communication guidelines when serving as a spokesperson during a public health emergency or bioterrorism event. - Create a message map to use as a tool for the delivery of appropriate communication with the public and media during an incident. - Maintain a planning checklist to facilitate the initiation, delivery and maintenance of appropriate communication with the public, the media, and health care providers and the response community during an incident.