INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC Module XXIV

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 2 Syllabus l Introduction l Public information management programme l Objectives of information programme l Medical professionals as special category to be informed l Communication methods l Questions of major public concern l Fundamental principles of communication l General interview guidelines l Communicating with media l Summary

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 3 Introduction l Public not homogeneous l People need clear, simple, straightforward explanations l Medical community as a special category of population: to be educated themselves to educate the general public

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 4 Public information management programme l Purpose To ensure provision of timely, accurate and up-to-date information public about cause and status of emergency, protective actions being taken to safeguard health and actions they should take to ensure own protection To help to minimize anxiety in emergency

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 5 Development of comprehensive information programme l Necessary elements Clearly stated programme objectives Identification of audience according to objectives of the communication programme Audience survey to identify need and messages to be communicated and channels of communication Management plan with clearly stated goals for each audience to achieve objectives, which considers a number of options Evaluation plan to incorporate lessons learned in future planning

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 6 Objectives of information programme l Before an emergency To create a climate whereby organization concerned is recognized as credible and trustworthy, and as having protection of public of primary concern

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 7 Tasks to be performed before emergency l Review and develop national public information policy l Determine and allocate agreed responsibilities in providing public information l Develop and implement detailed plans for public information

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 8 Information policy l National public information policy review and development Review and document legal infrastructure Ensure agreement on public information policy at all levels Make agreement with all involved organizations

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 9 Allocation of responsibilities l Determine and allocate agreed responsibilities for public information provision Assign responsibilities independently of any emergency response responsibilities Encourage co-ordination between groups

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 10 Plans for public information l Develop and implement detailed plans for public information Develop infrastructure and functional capabilities needed to implement lower level nuclear emergency communications plans prepare and maintain plans and procedures designate staff roles install public information briefing centres and equipment develop and provide training

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 11 Objectives of information programme l In an emergency To inform public about current state of emergency and provide information on safety

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 12 Identify audience l Media l Government leaders, business people interested in nuclear industry l Medical and health professionals l Developers, end-users and operators of nuclear technologies l Academics/researchers in nuclear area l Academics/teachers in related disciplines l Special and public interest groups l General public

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 13 Medical and health professionals l Medical professionals - most credible source of information to public l Very often dont have enough information about radiation l Information could be provided via newsletter brochures video

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 14 Types of information provided to medical professionals l Basic knowledge about radiation for all medical professionals l Specific knowledge about radiation necessary for response in an emergency for those involved in response l Specific information about an accident necessary for response for those involved in response

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 15 Developing a management plan l Development of goals for each audience l Message development l Designated spokesperson responsible for communicating the message l Communication vehicle appropriate for message l Schedule for releasing various messages l Crisis communication plan

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 16 Communication methods l Written Reports, studies, press releases, booklets, text in calendars l Oral Speeches, briefings l Visual Videos, films l Direct interaction: interviews l Computer: , Internet l Visits, tours, special events l Training seminars

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 17 Questions of major public concern l Control of sources of ionizing radiation l NPPs l Uranium mining and milling l Nuclear fuel fabrication and reprocessing l Storage of spent fuel l Spent fuel disposal l Application of ionizing radiation in medicine, industry, agriculture and research l Transport of radioactive material l Disposal of radioactive waste l Emergency preparedness l Nuclear or radiological accidents

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 18 Major public concern in emergency preparedness l What to do in emergency situation? l Enough assistance and expertise to deal with situation? l Who receives stable iodine? l Necessary to evacuate? l Emergency Plan?

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 19 Major public concern in nuclear or radiological accidents l What happened? l Consequences? l Who is responsible for accident? l Will I die? l Water, food, house, money contaminated? l Officials telling truth?

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 20 Fundamental principles of communication l Foundation of trust is truth and openness l Communication ongoing and predictable l Depth, not breadth l Communication by trained people

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 21 Fundamental principles of communication l Earning trust and building credibility l Message interference Jargon/technical terms Languages

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 22 Interview – direct interaction l Interviews may help in providing public with correct information l Prerecorded interviews (formal or informal) edited before broadcast l Background interviews - for journalists to understand a subject in more depth - may or may not be used in report to public

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 23 Interview – direct interaction l Types of interviews Live vs taped Print Broadcast General vs investigative Ambush vs prearranged Office vs on scene

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 24 General interview guidelines Be l yourself l comfortable and confident l honest l brief l human l personal l prepared, positive, and consistent l attentive l energetic l committed and sincere

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 25 Communicating with the media l Why is it important? Provide information to public Prevent rumour Maintain credibility of response organizations Allow responders to focus on response Reduce psychological impact

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 26 Media l How would you describe the media? l Media goals l Media helps you get story out

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 27 Communications with media l Identifying/designating authorized spokespersons l Information co-ordinated and approved before release l Joint information centre / emergency public information centre

Module Medical XXIV-(30) - 28 Summary l Importance of communicating effectively with pubic l Objectives of information programme l Medical community as special group l Questions of major public concern l Basic communication principles l Media interview and guidelines