Effective communication is a core skill that nearly every health professional will need and use during their careers. Yet, few health professionals receive even basic training in how to design communications to be clear and successful. As “foundational skills,” the content in this course can be applied to both oral and written communication, within and beyond health.
Foundational Skills for Communicating About Health
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(113 reviews)
What you'll learn
Define and collect important information about a target audience in order to make appropriate decisions about the communication effort
Select an audience-appropriate communications goal
Craft a clear, concise core message for a communication effort
Deploy at least two different types of narrative structures to support communications about health topics
Details to know
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There are 5 modules in this course
In Week 1, we will consider how knowing your audience and your specific goals are the critical first steps to designing effective communications.
What's included
8 videos4 readings5 quizzes1 discussion prompt
In Week 2, we will focus on developing clear takeaway messages so that communications can achieve their objectives.
What's included
6 videos2 readings8 quizzes1 plugin
This week, we focus on using plain language to avoid jargon, and continue to practice finding a clear central message.
What's included
4 videos2 quizzes1 peer review
In Week 4, we will learn how to use narrative forms to tell the story of science and how to think about the larger macro-structures of messages, especially when your message is designed to advocate for your central point.
What's included
13 videos3 readings2 quizzes1 peer review
In Week 5, we will learn oral presentation skills, create a final written assignment summarizing a scientific article for a different audience, and (optionally) create a short video presentation for a public audience.
What's included
2 videos6 readings5 quizzes1 peer review
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Public Health
Imperial College London
University of California San Diego
The State University of New York
Coursera Instructor Network
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Taking this course by University of Michigan may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
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When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.