Peter M. Ginter

Effective media communication of disasters: Pressing problems and recommendations

BackgroundPublic health officials and journalists play a crucial role in disseminating information regarding natural disasters, terrorism and other human-initiated disasters. However, research suggests that journalists are unprepared to cover terrorism and many types of natural disasters, in part because of lack sufficient expertise in science and medicine and training. The objective of this research was to identify solutions to problems facing journalists and public health public information officer (PIOs) of communicating with the public during natural and human-initiated disasters.MethodsTo assist in identifying the most pressing problems regarding media response to health-related risks such as terrorism and large-scale natural disasters, 26 expert advisors were convened, including leaders representing journalists and public information officers, state health officials, experts in terrorism and emergency preparedness, and experts in health, risk, and science communication. The advisory group participated in pre-arranged interviews and were asked to identify and review bioterrorism educational resources provided to journalist. All advisory group members were then invited to attend a day long meeting January 29, 2004 to review the findings and reach consensus.ResultsThe most pressing problems were found to be a lack of coordination between PIOs and journalists, lack of resources for appropriately evaluating information and disseminating it efficiently, and a difference in perception of PIOs and journalist towards each others role during emergency situations. The advisory board developed a list of 15 recommendations that may enhance communication plans betweens PIOs, journalist and the public. The solutions were meant to be feasible in terms of costs and practical in terms of the professional and organizational realities in which journalists and PIOs work.ConclusionIt is clear that PIOs and journalists play crucial roles in shaping public response to terrorism and other disasters. The findings from this formative research suggest that perspectives and organizational processes often limit effective communication between these groups; though practical solutions such as participation of journalists in drills, scenario exercises, sharing of informational resources, and raising awareness at professional trade meetings may enhance the timely dissemination of accurate and appropriate information.

Macroenvironmental analysis for strategic management

Abstract Macroenvironmental analysis is an integral part of systematic strategic planning. Even though the literature on macroenvironmental analysis is fragmented, there are useful guidelines for making sense out of this complex and important aspect of strategic planning. This article highlights five important questions managers should ask about macroenvironmental analysis, develops a model for the process, and summarizes what research and experience tell us about each question.

Market effects on electronic health record adoption by physicians.

Background: Despite the advantages of electronic health record (EHR) systems, the adoption of these systems has been slow among community-based physicians. Current studies have examined organizational and personal barriers to adoption; however, the influence of market characteristics has not been studied. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of market characteristics on EHR adoption by physicians. Methodology: Generalized hierarchal linear modeling was used to analyze EHR survey data from Florida which were combined with data from the Area Resource File and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The main outcome variable was self-reported use of EHR by physicians. Findings: A total of 2,926 physicians from practice sizes of 20 or less were included in the sample. Twenty-one percent (n = 613) indicated that they personally and routinely use an EHR system in their practice. Physicians located in counties with higher physician concentration were found to be more likely to adopt EHRs. For every one-unit increase in nonfederal physicians per 10,000 in the county, there was a 2.0% increase in likelihood of EHR adoption by physicians (odds ratio = 1.02, confidence interval = 1.00-1.03). Health maintenance organization penetration rate and poverty level were not found to be significantly related to EHR adoption. However, practice size, years in practice, Medicare payer mix, and measures of technology readiness were found to independently influence physician adoption. Practice Implications: Market factors play an important role in the diffusion of EHRs in small medical practices. Policy makers interested in furthering the adoption of EHRs must consider strategies that would enhance the confidence of users as well as provide financial support in areas with the highest concentration of small medical practices and Medicare beneficiaries. Health care leaders should be cognizant of the market forces that enable or constrain the adoption of EHR among their practices and those of their competitors.

Mitigating risks, visible hands, inevitable disasters, and soft variables: Management research that matters to managers

This publication contains reprint articles for which IEEE does not hold copyright. Full text is not available on IEEE Xplore for these articles.

Creating a Regional Pediatric Medical Disaster Preparedness Network: Imperative and Issues

Over the past few decades, the number of disasters, both natural and human initiated has increased. As a result, since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, there has been a new emphasis on disaster preparedness. However, the preparedness emphasis has been primarily directed toward adults and little attention has been specifically given to the needs of children.One reason for the lack of attention to pediatric needs in disaster planning is that childhood is seldom viewed as a separate and special stage of growth, fundamentally different from adulthood. The expectation during emergencies is that the care provided for adults is appropriate for children.The purpose of this paper is to examine the types of and increase in disasters and discuss the importance of specifically addressing the special needs of children in disaster planning. Further the paper argues for a regional network approach to emergency pediatric care that would increase surge capacity for children during disasters and other emergencies.

The nature of the public health emergency preparedness literature 2000-2008: a quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVES This study characterizes the nature, size, and knowledge gaps of the public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) literature. METHODS Systematic review of PHEP articles published in 10 relevant journals from 2000 through 2008 was conducted. An inclusion process and coding sheet was developed; articles were coded on the basis of abstract content for variables, including type of methods used, disaster type, disaster life cycle focus, and article focal point. Descriptive analyses and cross-tabulations were used to characterize the nature of the literature. RESULTS The sample included 823 articles; human-made disasters (39.4%, n = 323) were the most common, followed by natural disasters (30.7%, n = 252). The preparedness life cycle phase represented 60.5% (n = 497) of articles. Overall, 67.8% (n = 558) of articles were nonempirical; however, this differed by disaster type and focal point. DISCUSSION Most of the PHEP literature is based on commentaries and other nonempirical articles forcing policymakers and practitioners to rely on weak anecdotal evidence or opinions for decision making. Several literature gaps are identified and presented as areas for future research. More research utilizing diverse methods and data sets is needed to build a strong evidence-based knowledge base on many PHEP topics.

Strategic configurations in health services organizations

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if financially successful health service organizations are characterized by a limited number of configurations and less financially successful health service organizations are characterized by a different set of configurations. Data on 77 health service organizations were collected from case studies and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents. Organizations were scored according to environmental, strategy making, organization/structure variables and financial success. Three individuals with health care experience were provided detailed instructions and were asked to independently rate the 77 organizations relative to the variables. The financial success variable was separately rated by a third individual with extensive finance and health care expertise. Five financially successful and five financially less successful configurations were identified and described according to their major characteristics. The configurations were limited and consistent with configuration studies in industries other than health care with a few noteworthy exceptions.

Keeping strategic thinking in strategic planning: Macro-environmental analysis in a state department of public health

This paper examined the tendency of strategic decision makers in public health to allow their strategic planning process to degenerate into short-term, operational management. The temptation is great in light of pressing current problems. However, the danger of not thinking strategically about the future and of failing to attempt to position the organization in such a way as to take advantage of its strengths and minimize the adverse consequences of its weaknesses can be catastrophic. An attempt is made to illustrate how one state department of public health attempted to ensure that strategic thinking remained a part of its strategic planning process. The process was built around the energizing of the expertise present in the department and the mobilization of resources under the direction of the State Health Officer. The process is ongoing and is constantly fine tuned. However, the procedure utilized can be adapted easily to the unique circumstances facing most public health organizations.

Hospital Strategic Preparedness Planning: The New Imperative

Strategic preparedness planning is an important new imperative for many hospitals. Strategic preparedness planning goes beyond traditional product/market strategic planning by focusing on disaster prevention, containment, and response roles. Hospitals, because of their unique mission, size, complexity, the types of materials they handle, and the types of patients they encounter, are especially vulnerable to natural and human-initiated disasters. In addition, when disasters occur, hospitals must develop well-conceived first responder (receiver) strategies. This paper argues the case for strategic preparedness planning for hospitals and proposes a process for this relatively new and much needed type of planning.

Expanding the public health emergency preparedness competency set to meet specialized local and evolving national needs: a needs assessment and training approach.

This article presents an approach to competency development created at the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness to expand and refine existing competency sets for public health emergency responders. The technique uses course content generated by subject matter experts to validate and expand existing national competency sets. New competencies based on local needs were identified that provide coverage of subject matter appropriate to local public health emergency responders beyond the focus of existing national competency sets.