Conflict Transformation and Difficult Conversations
Disagreements in professional—and personal—settings are often one of the
least pleasant aspects of our lives. Working through those disagreements can be
uncomfortable, and we can feel lost as we try to navigate them. However, such
disputes can be tremendously fruitful in their capacity to allow us to
understand each other’s values, to gain wisdom from the information and
perspectives that differ from our own, and to see each other’s humanity.
Although no difficult conversation can ever be truly free
from discomfort—otherwise the conversation wouldn’t be a difficult one—there
are approaches for arranging the emotions at play, the issues at stake, and the
values that underlie them into a thoughtful and mutually informed framework,
and there are step-by-step processes for walking through the disagreement
together toward understanding and, hopefully, resolution. In this recorded webinar, you will learn about the typical emotional background happening during a
disagreement and common reactions to it; how to reconstruct unhelpful
statements into more helpful ones that can facilitate a difficult conversation;
how to identify the issues, interests, and positions present in a disagreement;
and how to employ a ten-step procedure for working toward agreement. If you
have ever been frustrated by platitudes such as lean into the conversation or employ active listening that do not seem to address the mechanics of how to
navigate a tough conversation, this recorded webinar can give you a concrete
step-by-step procedure for doing just that.
**Instructions
to access the course will be provided after you register.**
Learning
Objectives
At the
conclusion of this recorded webinar, participants will be able to:
- describe the typical emotional background happening during a disagreement and its resolution;
- differentiate between short-term and long-term oriented approaches to resolution;
- reconstruct unhelpful statements into statements that can facilitate a difficult conversation;
- identify issues, interests, and positions present in a conflict scenario; and
- describe the ten-step interest-based process for working toward conflict resolution.
Target
Audience
This
presentation is appropriate for public
health practitioners with varying professional experiences and diverse
educational backgrounds..
Instructor
Ryan Minster, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Human Genetics at
the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. In 2011, he was certified
in mediation by the Office of Dispute Resolution for the State of Nebraska and
for four years worked with non-profit organizations as an educator in difficult
conversations. For more than ten years, he has taught difficult conversations,
conflict resolution, and conflict transformation to students in Pitt Public
Health, the Student Conversation Association, the National Health Corps
Pittsburgh, Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, and has consulted with the Allegheny
County Department of Health. He believes that difficult conversations are an
uncomfortable and necessary part of human interaction, understanding, and
collaboration.
Level
This course is
appropriate for those with no or basic levels of experience with conflict
resolution.
Length:
90
minutes
Continuing Education
Credits
Continuing
education credits are not offered for this course.
Technology
Requirements
This
course is presented through the Vimeo Internet-based platform. A computer with
high-speed internet connection and the ability to download and run this
platform is required.
For
more information about this course or for assistance with registration, contact
marphtc@pitt.edu.
Creation Date: This
training was created in June 2024.
Health Literacy 2: The Teach-back Method
What challenges does low health literacy cause patients and populations? This recorded webinar educates health professionals about public health literacy and their role in improving health and clinical information and services. During this session, you will learn the fundamentals of health literacy, develop an understanding of the challenges low health literacy causes patients and populations, and learn how to apply the Teach-back technique to assess patient understanding. This training will help participants gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental predictor of health status and improve client and clinical services.
Learning
Objectives
At the
conclusion of this recorded webinar, participants will be able to:
- describe the importance of plain language communication;
- list several avoidable barriers to effective communication; and
- employ the “Teach-back” method to assess understanding.
**Instructions to access the recording will
be provided after you register.**
Target
Audience
This
recorded webinar is appropriate for all public health practitioners.
Instructor
Elizabeth Felter, DrPH, MCHES joined the faculty of the University of
Pittsburgh School of Public Health Department of Behavioral and Community
Health Sciences as an assistant professor in 2010. She has been a Master
Certified Health Education Specialist since 2011 and leads the department's
health communication-health risk communication curriculum. Felter's research
and practice-based work is focused mainly in the area of health
education/communications and evaluation, including supporting health
departments, health clinics, and non-profits with their COVID-19
response.
Technology
Requirements
This recorded webinar is presented through the Vimeo Internet-based platform. A computer
with high-speed internet connection and the ability to download and run this
platform is required.
For more
information about this recorded webinar or for assistance with registration, contact marphtc@pitt.edu.
Creation
Date: This webinar was
recorded in September 2024.
Health Literacy 3: Using Plain Language to Improve Health Literacy recorded webinar
This recorded webinar educates health professionals about public health literacy and improves their ability to communicate in writing with the public. During this session, you will learn the fundamentals of health literacy, develop an understanding of the challenges of writing health and medical content for lay audiences, and apply best practices for plain language written communication. This training includes instructive and interactive portions to help participants gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental predictor of health status.
Learning
Objectives
At the
conclusion of this recorded webinar, participants will be able to:
- describe the importance of plain language communication;
- list several avoidable barriers to effective communication; and
- plan several strategies to increase effective written communications, including with vulnerable communities.
**Instructions to access the recording
will be provided after you register.**
Target
Audience
This
recorded webinar is appropriate for all public health practitioners.
Instructor
Elizabeth Felter, DrPH, MCHES joined the faculty of the University of
Pittsburgh School of Public Health Department of Behavioral and Community
Health Sciences as an assistant professor in 2010. She has been a Master
Certified Health Education Specialist since 2011 and leads the department's
health communication-health risk communication curriculum. Felter's research
and practice-based work is focused mainly in the area of health
education/communications and evaluation, including supporting health
departments, health clinics, and non-profits with their COVID-19
response.
Technology
Requirements
This
recorded webinar is presented through the Vimeo Internet-based platform. A
computer with high-speed internet connection and the ability to download and
run this platform is required.
For more
information about this recorded webinar or for assistance with registration,
contact marphtc@pitt.edu.
Creation Date: This webinar was
recorded in February 2023.
Introduction to Effective Writing for Public Health Professionals: Email Etiquette and Related Best Practices
**Instructions to access the recording will be provided after you register.**
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this recorded webinar, participants will be able to:
- define and apply user-centered design for effective professional writing;
- define the elements of ‘audience analysis’ and its practical relevance to professional written communication;
- identify strategies to overcome potential writer’s block;
- describe effective strategies for proofreading your writing;
- describe the structure and relevance of briefing memos for effective workplace communication; and
- describe and apply the elements for professional email etiquette.
Target
Audience
This
recorded webinar is appropriate for public health and clinical practitioners
with varying professional experiences and diverse educational backgrounds.
Instructor
Daniel Barnett, MD, MPH is a Professor in the Department of
Environmental Health & Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of
Public Health (JHSPH), where he has a joint appointment in the Department of
Health Policy and Management. He received his MD from The Ohio State University
College of Medicine, his MPH and general preventive medicine training from
JHSPH, and his BA in English from Yale University. He teaches on writing for
public health in connection with his faculty role at JHSPH, and as a trainer
for MAR-PHTC. Prior to his academic career, Barnett worked at Baltimore City
Health Department's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response.
Technology
Requirements
This recorded webinar is
presented through the Vimeo Internet-based platform. A computer with high-speed
internet connection and the ability to download and run this platform is
required.
Creation Date: This training was created 12/10/25.
For more information about
this course or for assistance with registration, contact marphtc@pitt.edu.
Leveraging Social Media for Public Health Communications
This module presents current evidence-informed
principles and practices that public health agencies can apply toward using
social media to enhance their communication and delivery of population health
services. As such, the module presents relevant tools and strategies that these
agencies can leverage for regular and emergent public health contexts.
**Instructions to access the course will be provided
after you register.**
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this recorded webinar,
participants will be able to:
- describe the relevance of public health departments' social media-based communication with respect to the current 10 Essential Public Health Services;
- name at least three ways in which public health agencies can benefit from their use of social media;
- describe readability and information accuracy considerations for public health agencies’ use of social media for communication; and
- provide an example of an analytic tool that public health agencies can use to enhance their social media communication efforts.
Target Audience
This presentation is useful for practitioners, teams, and
organizations who are interested in improving their performance, efficiency,
and effectiveness.
Instructor
Daniel Barnett, MD,
MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health
& Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where
he has a joint appointment in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Barnett's long-standing practice-based and research experiences in public
health have included a strong applied emphasis on quality improvement for
public health agencies and their stakeholders in the face of evolving
challenges to population health.
Level
This course is
appropriate for those with no or basic levels of experience with social media.
Length: 1 hour
Continuing Education
Credits
Continuing education credits are not offered for this
course.
Technology Requirements
This course is presented through the Vimeo Internet-based platform. A
computer with high-speed internet connection and the ability to download and
run this platform is required.
For more information about this course or for assistance
with registration, contact marphtc@pitt.edu.
Creation Date: This training was created in April 2025.
Motivational Interviewing: Eliciting Lasting Behavior Change
Motivational Interviewing is a particular kind of conversation about behavior change. Rather than advising and convincing a person to change, Motivational Interviewing is a style of communicating that evokes a person’s intrinsic motivation to change, attempts to resolve ambivalence, and minimizes discord in a helping relationship.
In this introductory workshop we dispel myths about the behavior change process, present the evidence base for Motivational Interviewing, and discuss the possible applications of Motivational Interviewing in your own work.
**Instructions to access the recording will be provided after you register.**
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- describe theories of behavior change;
- explain the evidence base for Motivational Interviewing;
- list the components of Motivational Interviewing, including the Spirit of MI and the skills; and
- define the concept of “Change Talk” as it relates to their own professions.
Risk, Crisis, and Emergency Communication
This series was developed by the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication within the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health with funding from the PA Department of Health
This series covers eight topics related to risk and crisis communication during public health emergencies:
- Communication Skills for Public Information Officers
- Crisis Communications ‘Top 10’ Planning Checklist
- How to Produce a Message Map
- How to Write a Press Release for a Public Health Crisis or Emergency
- Joint Information Centers for Public Health Crises and Emergencies
- Nonverbal Communication
- Using Social Media in Disasters
- Working with the Media
The videos feature Dr. Vincent Covello, a leading expert in the field of risk communication, and Tom Hipper, the Program Manager at the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication. Each video runs approximately 10-30 minutes and covers an important topic related to communicating effectively during emergencies. There is no recommended sequence; each video provides a stand-alone lesson on a risk communication topic. Accompanying each lesson are ‘related resources’ that supplement the content covered in the videos.
**Instructions to access the recording will be provided after you register.**
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this video series, participants will be able to:
- employ the skills learned to meet the crisis and emergency risk communication aspects of hazards that pose a health threat to the public; and
- develop and disseminate message content in crises and emergencies using press releases, message maps, and social media.
Target Audience
This presentation is appropriate for individuals in public health and health care settings who are responsible for crisis communication and public information.
Instructor
Vincent Covello, PhD, is the founder and Director of the Center for Risk
Communication in New York City. He is an internationally recognized trainer,
researcher, consultant, and expert in emergency, crisis, and risk
communication. Covello serves as a consultant for the CDC and the World Health
Organization, and has authored over 150 scientific articles and books on risk
and crisis communication.
Tom Hipper, MSPH, MA, is the Program Manager of
the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication at the Drexel
University Dornsife School of Public Health. He is also an Adjunct Professor at
Drexel University, where he teaches a course in crisis and risk communication.
Hipper has presented on the use of new media in disasters at multiple national
conferences, has been trained in Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication, and
has published research in Health
Security, Health
Promotion Practice, Health
Communication, and the Journal
of Public Health Management and
Practice.
This project was supported by the Cooperative Agreement number U90TP000545-03, National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC or the Department of Health.
For more information, contact Tom Hipper at tjh87@drexel.edu.
Using Plain Language to Improve Health Literacy
This asynchronous training introduces users to the importance of
using plain language in written communication as a tool for improving
understanding, health behaviors, and health outcomes. Users will be introduced
to the challenges of low health literacy in the United States and practice
employing plain language techniques to improve communication with a
variety of audiences.
**Instructions
to access the course will be provided after you register.**
Learning Objectives
At the
conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- describe the importance of plain language communication;
- list several avoidable barriers to effective written communication; and
- plan several strategies to increase effective written communications, including with vulnerable communities.
Target Audience
This
presentation is appropriate for social workers; community health workers;
public health and clinical practitioners; and others in a variety of settings
including home visiting programs, WIC programs, and primary care settings.
Continuing
Education Credit
Continuing Education
credit for certified public health professionals (CPH-CE, 1 hour) is
available.
Instructor
Elizabeth Felter, DrPH, MCHES, joined the faculty of the
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health Department of Behavioral and
Community Health Sciences as an assistant professor in 2010. She has
been a Master Certified Health Education Specialist since 2011 and leads
the department's health communication/health risk communication curriculum. Felter's
research and practice-based work is focused mainly in the area of health
education/ communications and evaluation, including supporting health
departments, health clinics, and non-profits with their COVID-19 response.
Technology
Requirements
A computer with high-speed internet connection is required to view this course.
Creation
Date: This course was created in June 2022.
For more information about this course or for assistance with
registration, contact marphtc@pitt.edu.