Communication Practices to Support Frontline Workers During Public Health Threats

Details

• Personal Author:
  Haas, Emily J. ; Orstad SL
• Description:
  Background: Public health threats (PHTs) influence how and in what ways managers communicate with employees. Employee resources and information during uncertain times has been noted as a reoccurring gap, especially as it relates to personal protective equipment (PPE). This study explored general and PPE-specific communication practices with 22 healthcare and emergency medical service (EMS) managers to support workers, particularly in the context of preparedness and response. Methods: Data collection occurred in two phases that involved interviews and small group discussions to identify, examine, and better frame and execute communication practices. Qualitative analysis was informed by the 4i FACT framework and the social ecological model (SEM) to identify relevant communication practices and intervention points within health delivery settings. Results: Results elucidated perceived, effective leadership practices and interpersonal influences in the workplace. Tangible leadership communication practices were identified as important intervention points within the SEM, with a focus on proactive behaviors to procure necessary PPE and disseminate information. Participants emphasized one-on-one interactions with employees, and the use of trusted messengers to share health-related messages. They also highlighted the challenges of PPE shortages and the importance of access to resources across different job roles, organizations, and work settings. Conclusions/Application to Practice: This study contributes insights into communication practices during a public health emergency, offering a nuanced understanding of managerial approaches, PPE-related communication, and the broader contextual factors influencing information dissemination. Further, the integration of frameworks like 4i FACT and SEM provides a structured perspective for future communication strategies, supporting tailored approaches across organizations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communication Emergency Responders Health Personnel Health Promotion Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Public Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: 4i FACT Framework Communication Research Emergency Medical Services Workers EMS Healthcare Health Care Workers Health Communications Personal Protective Equipment PPE Public Health Public Health Threat Public Safety Qualitative Analysis Qualitative Data Social Ecological Model

  More +
• ISSN:
  2165-0799
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; New York City Region [OSHA] ; Pennsylvania ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070864
• Citation:
  Workplace Health Saf 2025 Apr; :[Epub ahead of print]
• Contact Point Address:
  Emily J. Haas, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA
• Email:
  wcq3@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Workplace Health & Safety
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0b6b1a2c93043c4ec945a0994c80fbbe46aca13f648e7e634264b7e779e2b63d015290c341b5be405fd3cbb4765a908d768bb876e41c1e5ed6e6be68394ab724
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208993/cdc_208993_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 257.07 KB ]