Health and Medical Public Relations

Health PR is an important and growing sector of the public relations industry, both in the UK and internationally, but is generally seen as a 'difficult' specialism due to the highly technical language and novel theoretical concepts usually used by scientists and doctors when publishing, describing and discussing their work. This book is about how and why information about health and medical science is communicated to target audiences through a range of PR techniques. It brings together information on the wide range of health-related public relations activities and combines a critical, analytical and cultural view of these activities with guidance on best practice. Aimed at those learning to specialise in health public relations, each section of this book includes: A summary of learning outcomes Definition boxes explaining key words and concepts when they first appear Reflection boxes, encouraging the reader to think about specific examples of science and medical PR practice 'Our experience' boxes, offering personal views of science and medical PR Exercise boxes: brief individual or group exercises designed to stimulate discussion in the classroom or work environment A part summary bringing together the desired outcomes of each part Up-to-the minute case studies of contemporary PR practice, provided by senior practitioners in the field