Date of Graduation
2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Terry Wimmer
Abstract
The media influence public health in two important ways: by affecting individual choices, and by affecting public policy. The media’s important roles with regard to public health have long raised concerns about responsible medical reporting. In recognition of the need for clarity in health communication to the public, various sets of tips and guidelines for reporters, editors, and others have been advanced. These guidelines apply primarily to news forms used for reporting scientific advances and conveying health recommendations: the traditional “inverted pyramid” story, the feature story, and service pieces. They are less applicable to narrative, a journalistic form that is widely used for medical stories and one that offers advantages in intimacy and detail and has been credited with influencing public policy. In narrative medical reporting, as in other forms of reporting, the power of the media calls for responsible practice. Guidelines suggested for other forms are adapted for narrative.
Recommended Citation
Kasey, Pamela Christine, "Responsible medical narrative: Applying the lessons of medical journalism to medical narrative." (2003). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10720.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10720