The PHERCC Matrix. An Ethical Framework for Planning, Governing, and Evaluating Risk and Crisis Communication in the Context of Public Health Emergencies
Spitale G., Germani F., Biller-Andorno N. (2023) The American Journal of Bioethics 24(4):67-82 10.1080/15265161.2023.2201191
The PHERCC matrix is our ethical framework for planning, governing and evaluating how authorities communicate risk in public health emergencies, built on six elements of the process, from evidence to feedback. Its five principles (openness, transparency, inclusivity, understandability, privacy) aim to hold effectiveness, autonomy and fairness together instead of trading one against another.
Abstract
Risk and crisis communication (RCC) is a current ethical issue subject to controversy, mainly due to the tension between individual liberty (a core component of fairness) and effectiveness. In this paper we propose a consistent definition of the RCC process in public health emergencies (PHERCC), which comprises six key elements: evidence, initiator, channel, publics, message, and feedback. Based on these elements and on a detailed analysis of their role in PHERCC, we present an ethical framework to help design, govern and evaluate PHERCC strategies. The framework aims to facilitate RCC, incorporating effectiveness, autonomy, and fairness. It comprises five operational ethical principles: openness, transparency, inclusivity, understandability, and privacy. The resulting matrix helps understanding the interplay between the PHERCC process and the principles of the framework. The paper includes suggestions and recommendations for the implementation of the PHERCC matrix.
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Cite
Spitale, G., Germani, F., & Biller-Andorno, N. (2023). The PHERCC Matrix. An Ethical Framework for Planning, Governing, and Evaluating Risk and Crisis Communication in the Context of Public Health Emergencies. The American Journal of Bioethics, 24(4), 67-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2023.2201191
@article{spitale2023phercc,
author = {Spitale, G. and Germani, F. and Biller-Andorno, N.},
title = {{The PHERCC Matrix. An Ethical Framework for Planning, Governing, and Evaluating Risk and Crisis Communication in the Context of Public Health Emergencies}},
journal = {The American Journal of Bioethics},
year = {2023},
volume = {24},
number = {4},
pages = {67--82},
doi = {10.1080/15265161.2023.2201191}
}