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01-02-2022 | Public Health | Review

A Review and Analysis of the Literature on Public Health Emergency Communication Practices

Authors: Melissa MacKay, Taylor Colangeli, Abhinand Thaivalappil, Ariana Del Bianco, Jennifer McWhirter, Andrew Papadopoulos

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

A systematic review using structured and transparent methods was carried out to collect and review the qualitative literature investigating trust in crisis communication during emerging infectious diseases. Qualitative synthesis was conducted using a descriptive thematic analysis approach. The GRADE-CERQual assessment was used to determine the confidence in each thematic finding to support decisions when implementing review findings. Overall, 13 studies were included in the review, resulting in 10 thematic categories that describe characteristics associated with crisis communication information and sources of crisis communication that can enhance or maintain public trust. The results of this review suggest the public judges the trustworthiness of crisis communication based on the information characteristics, including consistency, repetition, and timeliness, and especially transparency and uncertainty. Public health is a trusted source of crisis communication when the presenting spokesperson is a health official, the information is not perceived as politicized, and is timely. Community leaders, such as family doctors, are also trusted sources of crisis communication, whereas media and government officials face distrust because of perceived sensationalized information, and defensiveness and unreliable information respectively. Qualitative data in this area is limited, especially involving the public and priority populations, and should be the focus of future research.

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Title: A Review and Analysis of the Literature on Public Health Emergency Communication Practices
Authors: Melissa MacKay
Taylor Colangeli
Abhinand Thaivalappil
Ariana Del Bianco
Jennifer McWhirter
Andrew Papadopoulos
Publication date: 01-02-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Public Health
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-01032-w

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A Review and Analysis of the Literature on Public Health Emergency Communication Practices

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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