Abstract
Whether engaged as an on-scene EMS physician, a practicing emergency department physician, an educator-researcher, a medical administrator, or serving in a host of other capacities, an EMS system medical director may be called upon to interview with the news media, address public officials, or speak to community leaders. In addition to topics that are directly pertinent to their rapidly evolving discipline, EMS physicians, as highly visible clinicians, often are solicited to render opinions about general medical issues facing the community. These issues can range from disaster management and environmental challenges to unusual disease outbreaks or day-to-day EMS incidents that become newsworthy or controversial. The authors of this chapter include a cadre of veteran news directors, news producers and reporters for print, radio, television, and internet-based communications working in concert with an EMS physician who has served as a public official and spokesperson for EMS for over three decades. The team reviews what they believe to be effective communication tools and the context for their use. They also provide "10 Golden Rules" for being a successful public spokesperson in this unique realm of patient advocacy and public health.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Medical Oversight of EMS |
Publisher | wiley |
Pages | 146-159 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Volume | 2 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118990810 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781118865309 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 12 2015 |
Keywords
- Advocacy
- Communications
- Disaster response
- Media
- Medical news
- News
- Public health education
- Public information
- Public speaking
- Risk communication
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine