E-drug: Re: Teaching media and drug literacy (1)
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Dear David (et al)
I hope this may be in some way relevant:
You may know that the SBU (Swedish Health Technology Assessment Board?)
is planning a seminar for media reporters on the 9th September (you will
probably be there?!).
I have been invited to give a 'consumer' perspective of what people
'want to read'. I will be trying to adapt the work we have done at the
King's Fund on the quality of patient information (out in September) to
media reporting. I will also be trying to relay my experiences in my
current job which involves brokering media, management and medical
journal article opportunities for (often unwilling) NHS staff working on
development projects (ie to spread the good news).
My presentation will, I hope, explore how the media can move 'beyond
hope and fear' in its reporting. This means both 'worlds' (media and
researchers) need to go beyond mutual hostility and defensiveness. Also,
for reporters to be better able to appraise the reliability of the
source of information, especially regarding new treatments.
You will, no doubt, be aware of much of the literature on this subject,
but let me point you also to a quality criteria checklist called
'Discern: An instrument for judging the quality of written consumer
health information on treatment choices' (available from the University
of Oxford, Division of Public Health and Primary health Care, Institute
of Health Sciences, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF)
'Discern' covers issues like whether it is clear what sources of
information were used to compile the publication? Is it balanced and
unbiased? Does it provide details of additional sources of support and
information? etc, etc. with 'hints' to help make that judgement.
Though the above mentioned work largely focuses on treatment choices
(and thus might be valuable aids in appraising stories about treatment
options) it also might be relevant to your work. At least I hope so.
I would be interested in any discussion that comes out of the e.drug
participants on this subject.
Best wishes
David Gilbert
Promoting Action on Clinical Effectiveness (PACE)
King's Fund
11 - 13 Cavendish Square
London, W1M OAN.
Tel: 0171 307 2661
Fax: 0171 307 2810
dgilbert@kehf.org.uk
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