Re-thinking risk communication: information needs of patients, health professionals and the public regarding MRSA - the communicative behaviour of a public health network in Germany responding to the demand for information

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• 作者：P. Dickmann^a ; ^b ; ^{pdickmann@dickmann-drc.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; K. Wittgens^a ; S. Keeping^a ; D. Mischler^c ; U. Heudorf^c
• 关键词：MRSA ; Information needs ; Risk communication ; Antimicrobial resistance ; Public health
• 刊名：Public Health
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：February 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：131
• 期：Complete
• 页码：56-62
• 全文大小：1204 K

文摘

Multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO), including Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and health care associated infections (HCAIs) are pressing issues for health care systems across the world.

Information and communication are considered key tools for the prevention and management of infectious diseases. Public Health Authorities (PHA) are in a unique position to communicate with health care professionals, patients and the public regarding the health risks.

Study design

We used PHA helpdesk interaction data to first ascertain the information requirements of those getting in contact with the service, and secondly to examine the communicative behaviour of the PHA, with a view to improving the quality of communication strategies.

Methods

Data on helpdesk interactions between 2010 and 2012 were obtained from a MDRO network of nine German PHAs. 501 recordings were coded and descriptive statistics generated for further qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

Our analysis revealed a similar pattern of questions among different groups. Key areas of need for information were around eradication, cleaning and isolation measures. Reported problems were a lack of expert knowledge and continuity of treatment. The helpdesk response was mainly a conversation offering scientific advice, but also included other communication services that went beyond the provision of scientific facts, such as follow-up calls, referral suggestions and consultations on behalf of the caller. These social communication activities seem to have an important impact on the acceptability of public health recommendations and use of the helpdesk.

Conclusions

Our findings support a broader discussion about the role of information in the communication process and underline the importance of social elements in the communication process, such as relationship and trust building.