Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. EDT
Researchers--as part of their very nature--know that the work they're doing, in some capacity, can inform and ultimately contribute to the improvement of the health care system. However, even for those researchers who fully comprehend and grasp the intrinsic value of their work, an understanding of its value doesn't equate to being able to articulate its significance to members of the media or to policymakers.
In an effort to help researchers understand their work in the context of the media and policy environments, AcademyHealth's Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) and Advocacy Interest Groups (IGs) are hosting a series of webinars aimed at preparing researchers on what to expect when and if their research gains traction in the media or policy arenas. The first webinar, "Research's Recognition in the Media: Two Sides of the Same Coin," was held on September 30, and is described in greater detail below.
Overview: Although researchers want their work to be noticed and contribute to improving health and health care, many are often nervous about interactions with mainstream media. Moreover, when research does gain traction, we've heard from researchers that the progression can be overwhelming.
During this webinar, the first in a series from the PHSR and Advocacy IGs, individuals from both perspectives--the research and media/communications communities--discussed the notion of research being picked up by various media outlets.
From the researcher's perspective, Betty Bekemeier from the University of Washington elaborated on her recent experience with the press and policymakers after her research on heatlh outcomes associated with local public health spending began receiving widespread attention. As Dr. Bekemeier described, although she knew what she was supposed to do once her research gained traction, she still wasn't prepared for the flurry of interviews and discussions with the media and policy worlds that would ensue. Tapping on the insight of Jordan Rau, a staff writer with Kaiser Health News who has extensive experience covering health research, this conversation aimed to educate participants on the process and offer tips for effectively working with the media.
Following their discussion, AcademyHealth's Vice President of Strategic Communications Kristin Rosengren provided additional tips and tricks for communicating research to the media, building off Dr. Bekemeier and Rau, and tying the conversation together from a communicator's perspective.
Faculty: Louis Rossiter, Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy (moderator); Betty Bekemeier, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN, University of Washington; Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News; Kristin Rosengren, AcademyHealth
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, participants were able to:
- Better understand what to expect when their research achieves media attention
- Recognize the elements that journalists look for when searching for stories
- Have a stronger grasp on how to more effectively communicate with the media and policymakers about research.
Registration Price: Free
Course Level: 101 (Introductory)
Faculty Bios:
 |
Louis F. Rossiter, Ph.D., (moderator) is Research Professor at the Schroeder Center for Healthcare Policy, The Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy at The College of William and Mary. For 18 years, Dr. Rossiter taught health economics in graduate programs at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the founding director of the David G. Williamson, Jr. Institute for Health Studies at VCU, has previously served as Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources and during the Bush administration served as policy deputy for the administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration. Dr. Rossiter has published more than 50 articles, edited 14 books and serves on the boards of four Virginia health care companies and published a 2001 book, Medicare Managed Care, which concerns changes that will allow beneficiaries to choose private health care plans. He has served on a large number of federal and state technical advisory panels; as consultant to a variety of prestigious non-profit and for profit corporations, including Merck and Co. and Kaiser Permanente Health Plans. Dr. Rossiter received his B.A. from Lenoir-Rhyne College, his M.A. in economics from the University of South Carolina, Columbia and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. |
 |
Betty Bekemeier, Ph.D., M.P.H., FAAN, RN, serves as a public health systems researcher – examining effective strategies for local and state public health systems to most effectively improve population health and eliminate disparities. She served as Deputy Director of the Turning Point National Program Office where her specialty was in public health practice system development. Before coming to the University of Washington, her career focused on public health practice at the local level, including: public health nursing, clinical and field management, epidemiology, community assessment, maternal child health, and administration. |
 |
Jordan Rau Jordan Rau's stories have been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Politico, and on npr.org and nbcnews.com, among other media outlets. He came to Kaiser Health News when it was started in 2009 from the Los Angeles Times, where he covered California government and health care politics in Sacramento. He previously reported for Newsday in New York, the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire and two newspapers in Vermont. |
 |
Kristin Rosengren is Vice President, Strategic Communications at AcademyHealth, leading the organization's public relations, outreach, marketing, and publication efforts. Prior to joining AcademyHealth, Ms. Rosengren provided strategic communications counsel to clients in the health care and pharmaceutical industries as an Account Supervisor at Ketchum Public Relations. Her experience includes proactive and reactive public relations efforts for pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, payers and voluntary health organizations. Ms. Rosengren is a veteran of the public relations industry, having also worked in health care information technology and for the independent public relations firm McNeely, Pigott & Fox in Nashville, Tenn. |
Please check back for updates on new online training opportunities. For more information or to sign up for notification about new opportunities please contact AcademyHealth or call 202.292.6700.