Best Practices in Health Communication: A Case Study of Nova Scotia Press Conferences During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-07
Authors
MacIsaac, Sarah Alex
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
This research addresses the best practices in health communication performed by the Nova Scotia government and Nova Scotia Health during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nova Scotia, Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the health communication landscape globally. The goals of this study were: (1) to develop a model that could offer insight into which best practices are consistent and relevant within the literature concerning health communication and (2) to examine which best practices in health communication have been deployed by the Nova Scotia government and Nova Scotia Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A three-phase methodological approach has been used to develop a model of best practices in health communication during a pandemic. Phase one, an inductive content analysis was used to examine best practices. Phase two, a case study approach was used to analyze press conference transcripts for the first six waves of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Phase three, an abductive approach from the case study analysis, supported the refinement of the model from phase one. The findings of this study produced the Best Practices in Health Communication in a Pandemic (BPHCP) Model consisting of eight best practices. This model has demonstrated consistent best practices in health communication that can be used to ensure organizations in this field are performing optimally for the public in maintaining public health and safety. The development of this BPHCP model has the potential to be deployed within practical applications of health communication to navigate the changing landscape.