Health news reports can be confusing and sometimes scary. They are prone to sensationalism, sins of omission and sheer inaccuracy.
Specialist medical reporters have greater capacity to select, pursue and form angles for stories involving complex health issues. This is related to their familiarity with technical aspects of medicine and health, as well as their ability to network with experts.
Medical News
There are a number of medical news sites that offer free access to the latest research and articles. Some of these sites are geared towards physicians and others are more for the general public. One such site is MDLinx, which offers a wide range of articles that are summarized and categorized efficiently. This makes it easy for physicians and medical professionals to find what they are looking for.
Another good source of medical news is reputable medical journals. These publications have undergone rigorous peer review, so you can be sure that the information they provide is accurate. In addition, the authors of these journals are usually physicians, so they know what information is important to their field.
The website of Stanford Medical School is another great resource for medical professionals and students. The website includes news, events, and videos that highlight the latest advances in medicine and technology. It also has a section dedicated to patient stories, which can help doctors connect with their patients on a personal level.
Other sites like Modern Healthcare are a good choice for physician and health care professionals. They cover a wide variety of topics in the health care industry, including business and policy. They also include interviews with the latest medical trends and developments.
When reading medical news, it’s important to remember that the information is only helpful if you understand what it means. If you aren’t a doctor or a science student, it can be difficult to translate the results of a study into real world implications for your own health. A reputable news site will always present both the positive and negative aspects of new health care treatments or findings.
If you are interested in learning more about a specific medical topic, talk to your doctor. They will be able to tell you whether or not the information is relevant for your own situation and can explain it in a way that you can understand. Understanding the latest medical news can help you feel more confident about discussing health issues with your doctor and can make it easier to ask questions.
Facts
Medical news can be complicated, but it is important for all of us to have access to accurate information. The best source for this information is a trusted medical professional, but it’s also good to have access to online sources that can help explain complex scientific information in an easy-to-understand way. The websites of government health agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are usually a great place to start. They often give unbiased and comprehensive information.
Fake news is a problem, particularly when it comes to medical topics. It’s usually spread through traditional print and broadcast media as well as social media. The purpose of fake news is to damage an organisation or person, often using sensationalist, exaggerated or patently false eye-catching headlines.
KHN is a non-profit that offers medical news, as well as articles about issues such as race and health, aging, and pharmaceuticals. Their website is easy to navigate and has sections for providers, payers, pharma, and patients. They are also known for their investigative reporting on pharmaceutical and medical companies. They also cover the latest trends in telehealth, mHealth apps, and digital health investment. They are a great resource for healthcare insiders.
Side Effects
If you’re going to use the news media to keep up with medical research, be sure you understand how to identify legitimate news and distinguish between truth and hyperbole. You may want to start by asking your physician which medical journals, publications, and websites they personally trust.
Getting to the bottom of a health story may require considerable patience and time. The best news stories are based on published academic literature rather than conference presentations, briefings by “maverick” physicians, or press releases.
Few things make a physician’s heart sink more than a patient entering the office brandishing a newspaper clipping with some dramatic, misrepresented health news. Unfortunately, not all doctors have the time or resources to carefully track down and evaluate primary sources for every piece of medical news they encounter in the media.
Talk to Your Doctor
With paper gowns, sterile wallpaper and cold, dark examining rooms, many people find going to the doctor stressful. This is especially true when the visit involves health issues.
Clear communication with your physician can prevent medical errors and strengthen the relationship between you and your doctor. But how do you communicate when there is something sensitive to discuss? The best approach is to be open and honest, even when it is embarrassing.
Remember that your doctor has been trained to treat all sorts of things that are embarrassing for patients, from erectile dysfunction to weight gain to a fear of falling. He is not likely to be shocked or repulsed by what you have to say, and he or she is obligated by law and professional ethics to protect your privacy.
If you have a difficult time discussing something with your doctor, consider writing it down in advance so that you can present the information in a more structured way. It may also help to bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. They can listen, catch questions you forget to ask and provide an outside perspective of the conversation that can be helpful.
The same study that cited the chief obstacles for health journalists also identified problems with communicating news about new findings, including limited availability of new health information, low willingness of authorities and experts to render health information to journalists, red tape and lack of cooperation, difficulty in finding out accurate statistics, unavailability of reliable sources, lack of specialized training in health reporting and other factors.
Don’t be afraid to repeat information back to your doctor if you don’t understand it the first time. This will clarify your understanding and give the doctor a chance to make sure that she or he understood you correctly.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to bring up other concerns that are not related to your health. It is important for your doctor to know about all of the issues that you are dealing with, such as stress, loss, a change in your job, financial difficulties, and any other personal matters that might impact your health.