The Ebola outbreak raging in West Africa is the most stark example in recent memory of the crucial role communicating risk plays in managing through a crisis. With no tested vaccine, and few treatment options, the response hinges on ensuring constructive behavior change, community mobilization and maintaining trust with authorities -- all managed through effective communication. The Ebola risk in Canada remains low, but several Canadian hospitals already have been dealing with suspect cases -- and the associated surge in staff and community concern. Indeed, although over a decade old, memories of SARS remains fresh in the minds of many as they follow events abroad and at home. The Health Emergency Risk Communication Workshop brings together health communicators, emergency managers, and other health experts to confront the challenge of communicating risk during a complex emergency. Led by international practitioners from The Warning Project -- a non profit which promotes better emergency risk communication -- the session builds from the latest academic research and uses interactive technology to maximize the learning experience. The program involves completing six interactive decision making modules – announcing an emerging threat; communication coordination; media and new media relations; behaviour change communication; listening to those affected and involved; and recovery. It’s a full agenda but one of the scheduled facilitators is currently deployed to West Africa as part of the World Health Organization response team and colleagues from both Medecins Sans Frontiers and The Red Cross are already registered. It will be a great chance to consider the Ebola outbreak in greater depth and what lessons we can learn in Canada in communicating other low risk/high risk perception issues. HCPRA members qualify for a $150 discount in the regular Workshop fee of $899. For more information on the Workshop check out: warningproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/GTA_2014.pdf To register and qualify for the special HCPRA rate, go to warningproject.org/shop and type in HCPRA in the coupon box.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:45:38 +0000