Dataset Information

Effective communication of public health guidance to emergency department clinicians in the setting of emerging incidents: a qualitative study and framework.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence to inform communication between emergency department clinicians and public health agencies is limited. In the context of diverse, emerging public health incidents, communication is urgent, as emergency department clinicians must implement recommendations to protect themselves and the public. The objectives of this study were to: explore current practices, barriers and facilitators at the local level for communicating public health guidance to emergency department clinicians in emerging public health incidents; and develop a framework that promotes effective communication of public health guidance to clinicians during emerging incidents.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 26 key informants from emergency departments and public health agencies in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed inductively and the analytic approach was guided by concepts of complexity theory.

Results

Emergent themes corresponded to challenges and strategies for effective communication of public health guidance. Important challenges related to the coordination of communication across institutions and jurisdictions, and differences in work environments across sectors. Strategies for effective communication were identified as the development of partnerships and collaboration, attention to specific methods of communication used, and the importance of roles and relationship-building prior to an emerging public health incident. Following descriptive analysis, a framework was developed that consists of the following elements: 1) Anticipate; 2) Invest in building relationships and networks; 3) Establish liaison roles and redundancy; 4) Active communication; 5) Consider and respond to the target audience; 6) Leverage networks for coordination; and 7) Acknowledge and address uncertainty. The qualities inherent in local relationships cut across framework elements.

Conclusions

This research indicates that relationships are central to effective communication between public health agencies and emergency department clinicians at the local level. Our framework which is grounded in qualitative evidence focuses on strategies to promote effective communication in the emerging public health incident setting and may be useful in informing practice.

SUBMITTER: Khan Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5410092 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundThis study examined the conflicts between different generations working in US emergency departments (ED). We sought to record generational differences involving communication preferences, perceived areas of conflict, work motivations, and attitudes regarding work-life balance.MethodsWe developed a survey to assess the physician perspective on generational conflict in the ED. The survey was distributed to members of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a professional organization comprising emergency medicine physicians in the USA.ResultsWe received 696 completed responses. Men represented 60% of respondents and the largest proportion of respondents were emergency physicians working in community settings (53%); 11% were residents. Generation representation was smallest for Traditionalist (2%) and largest for Gen X (43%). Seventy percent reported observing conflict due to generational communication with the largest frequency being once a week (26%). In the associated open-ended questions, 247 (33%) provided 316 anecdotal descriptions of observed conflict. Responses clustered into seven themes (ordered by frequency): Work Ethic, Treatment Approach, Technology Application, Entitlement, Professionalism, Work Life/Balance, and Communication Style. Comparing Work Ethic responses, 52-70-year-olds reported that younger providers are less interested in "accomplishing anything" while 26-34-year-olds resented that attitude. Respondents completing the open-ended questions regarding preventing and responding to conflict provided some insight into helpful strategies including actions supportive of clear communication and standardized policies and expectations. Only 5% of respondents reported that they had discussed generational communication in department meetings with the odds of a woman reporting conflict being less than males (p = .01).ConclusionConflicts in the ED in the USA can be attributed to how an individual views the values of someone from another generation. Understanding the frequency and areas of generational conflict in the ED can help medical leaders find strategies to mitigate negative workplace interactions.