Traditional Media

Abstract

Physicians who participate in the media may perform an important public health service for their communities. Physicians who understand the media (and their influence) may decide to engage and work with the press to inform society on a variety of issues in medicine. Physicians have access to information and knowledge as well as experience, a perspective and a point of view valuable to the public. They have something to say and something to teach the public because they do it every day in their practice, in their profession, and with their patients. Improving their understanding of reporters’ roles, responsibilities, and professional guidelines, along with an overview of the world of medical journalism, may help reduce physicians’ anxiety and potentially help them relate to journalists and interact with the press. Physicians will want to learn important guidelines from the American Medical Association and other organizations regarding their involvement with the media, whether writing a news article or being interviewed on television. This chapter includes the “what, why, how, when, and where” regarding all of the information and advice physicians need before working with or in traditional media.