Synopsis

Social media holds considerable potential for health promotion activities, as it addresses some of the barriers in traditional methods of health communication by increasing accessibility, interaction and engagement with the community. Now in its fourth year, the RCH National Child Health Poll has evolved to increasingly use novel and innovative strategies to engage parents and carers via RCH digital channels. With this we have reached an online audience of more than 2.5 million. In this Grand Round Dr Anthea Rhodes will share the strategy, methods and impact of multi-channel communication of health promotion messages on current and topical child health issues including car seat safety, flu vaccination, cyber bullying and organ donation.

A/Prof Warwick Teague, Director Trauma Service RCH and Maddison Stafford, Manager RCH Communications will join Anthea to share their role and experiences in this project.

Speaker

Dr Anthea Rhodes is a Paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and Director of the RCH National Child Health Poll. She is a lecturer with the University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics and a Research Associate with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Anthea has specialist training in child development and behaviour. She has a research interest in health services and health communication, as well the impact of media and digital technology on the health and wellbeing of children and families.