Training:
FOCUS GROUP under subcontract to Industrial Economics, Incorporated (IEC) was contracted by the MDPH to prepare and deliver a series of public health risk and emergency crisis communication training courses designed to prepare key spokespeople to effectively communicate the human health risks associated with chemical, radiological or bioterrorist attacks, infectious disease outbreaks, public health threats and other emergencies. FOCUS GROUP was instrumental in developing all of the course materials and was one of the two principal trainers.  The training program utilizes case studies in combination with interactive, practical exercises to provide participants with the opportunity to practice what they learn during the class, and increase their skills and proficiency in communicating complex, health related information.  The courses also rely on relevant research in risk and crisis communication some of which was conducted by Dr. Santos.

As part of the course materials FOCUS GROUP complied relevant information including message and spokesperson’s templates, additional risk communications resources etc. and created a user friendly CD for participants.  The CD provides relevant research and other pertinent material and a series of easy-to-use templates to facilitate risk communication planning.    To date, FOCUS GROUP along with other team members have facilitated multiple statewide “Basic” training courses whose participants include state and local boards of health, emergency responders and other relevant health personnel.  In addition, FOCUS GROUP along with IEC prepared and delivered Advanced training courses.  The Advanced course integrates information from the State’s Risk Communication Plan, and provides participants with the opportunity for more in-depth skills building and techniques to respond to the challenges faced by complex public health emergencies.  The Basic and Advanced classes have been updated to integrate various case studies and address the emerging needs of participants.   

Dr. Santos and Mr. Swartz of IEC, have also developed an interactive workshop on “Communicating with Special Populations”.  This workshop is designed to assist local communities and health care workers better identify and reach populations who may pose special communication challenges such as cultural or linguistic populations; the home bound or institutionalized; hearing or visually impaired and those with mental health considerations.  The workshop focuses on identifying and working with intermediaries to provide important health and emergency related information and addresses the message and delivery mechanism challenges posed by these special populations.

In total over 500 participants have been trained in the State.

Boston Public Health Commission
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is the oldest public health department in the US and considered a leader in providing innovative services to the residents of Boston, Massachusetts.  The Commission’s Office of Public Health Preparedness is responsible for coordinating and planning activities related to protecting the public during an emergency.  The group works closely with healthcare providers among others in planning, surveillance, risk communications, education and training. As part of a team, FOCUS GROUP developed and facilitated a series of Basic and Advanced Risk  and Public Health Emergency Communication courses to BPHC staff and other healthcare providers in the City of Boston, including hospitals, and Emergency Medical Services staff among others.  As part of this effort Dr. Santos conducted a case study of several Hepatitis A outbreaks that occurred in the City of Boston and the Town of Arlington, MA in the summer of 2004.

Pandemic Preparedness
With the emerging threat of Pandemic Influenza, FOCUS GROUP has developed materials, seminars and training sessions to support government agencies, local communities, businesses, hospitals and educational institutions with continuity of operations planning and the critical importance of risk communication in preparedness and response.  Dr. Santos was an invited speaker at four regional Massachusetts planning summits to talk about the importance of Risk Communication in Pandemic Preparedness Planning.  These summits were attended by more than 1000 individuals representing local government, hospitals and first responders, educational institutions and local businesses.  Dr. Santos’ talks were rated as one of the highlights of this important effort.

 In addition, FOCUS GROUP has developed and conducted Risk Communication – Pandemic training for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Local Public Health Initiative, working with Policy Studies Institute.  Dr. Santos developed a case based risk communication workshop for local and state health staff.  Dr. Santos has also provided risk communication training for the VA New England Healthcare System and the Rhode Island Department of Public Health.  FOCUS GROUP has also conducted one-on-one spokesperson training for the Rhode Island Department of Public Health to train spokespeople in the event of Pandemic Influenza outbreaks or other public health emergencies.

Dr. Santos has also provided training for State Street Bank on continuity of operations planning in the event of pandemic influenza outbreaks and risk communication and she has also worked with several educational institutions and other government agencies. 
Recently, Dr. Santos was an invited speaker at the First Intergovernmental Pandemic Risk Communication Workshop and Panel Discussions on Pandemic Risk Communications sponsored by The International Subject Matters Experts Guild.