Healthcare and Media Interaction in Major Incidents and Disasters: Experiences Based on Swedish KAMEDO Reports in 20 years

Abstract

Introduction:

Major Incidents and Disasters are often associated with early, extensive and prolonged media reporting. It is important to understand the interaction between first responders/rescue services and the media to create better conditions for providing and making available correct and objective information to as many people as possible.

Method:

A systematic literature review and content analysis was made on all Swedish KAMEDO reports (emergency medicine observations published by the National Board of Health and Welfare) from the last twenty years, in total 39 reports. KAMEDO’s primary task is to feedback experience data (lessons learned) from disasters worldwide, through expert observers at the site of an emergency event. The aim of this study was to evaluate and analyze the experiences made regarding the interaction between media and healthcare in connection with major incidents and disasters, both on site and in hospitals.

Results:

The analysis resulted in the following main themes:

(1) Communication problems and other challenges in Major Incidents and Disasters

• No protection and restrictions

• Information craving and news hunt

• Interviews as intervention

(2) Recommendations for efficient interaction between healthcare and the media:

• Strategies from alert to action

• Satisfying information needs

• Clarity measures on site

• Key actors of importance

• Proactive media alertness

Conclusion:

Some conclusions regarding lessons learned about interaction between healthcare and the media, as well as about communication with the afflicted and citizens, in brief: The hospital management should take control of the communication through efficient communication strategies. An accommodating approach to the media's presence can facilitate the dissemination of the necessary early, correct and balanced information. Joint authority press conferences are a model tested and positively evaluated. Healthcare communicators are key actors in hospital crisis communication and media management. Healthcare and media both benefit from developing routines and reciprocal respect for proactive and efficient interaction in emergencies.