Image: Patrick presenting at the USUHS Postdoctoral Research Symposium May 2019 – Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Tony Fauci, director of the NIAID, recently gave an interview to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on his America Dissected Podcast. Dr. Sayed asked Dr. Fauci how he has been able to maintain his credibility through 6 Presidential administrations and communicate effectively throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Fauci stated 4 key points:
You must speak clearly, coherently, using simple language free of technical jargon.
This seems pretty simple. Obviously the layperson is going to have difficulty understanding complex scientific terms. Yet scientists constantly explain things with incredible detail and nuance. Scientists like to explain the methods before getting to the results, in a sort of order and reason. But in policy world, it’s important to get to the results first and then explain how you got there. It’s easier to digest, and if the materials do not contribute to the results then they are probably not necessary to describe.
Never frighten or overly alarm the public, but do not keep information from the public either.
Frightening the public ruins your credibility (Boy Who Cried Wolf anyone?) There’s no need to sugar coat anything, but don’t over exaggerate. No one likes a “fish story” during a pandemic or public health emergency.
Be consistent with your messaging.
This is probably the most difficult takeaway to manage. 3 months ago scientists thought masks did not help protect oneself or reduce exposure of the virus in the public. The data was not in yet. Science morphs over time. Basing science during one time in history is foolish. 100 years ago we were just figuring out that the 1918 Spanish Flu was a virus and not a bacterium. We need to be receptive to the science changing over time as more data is analyzed.
Don’t be afraid to not know an answer.
The worst thing a scientist can do is guess, especially if there is no qualifier attached to the statement. At the very least, one can speculate. But scientists must never ponder openly so that people can cling to statements that may not be true.
I agree on all the above with Dr. Fauci. SciComm, done effectively, is an incredibly useful skill to convey facts in an apolitical manner. In broad stroking terms, when policies are driven by evidence-based facts they are more likely to be supported by policymakers– unless those policies go against personal agendas. What is Dr. Fauci’s personal agenda? Protecting the American people, as he has done for the past 40 years.