Health Writer's Handbook

by Gastel, Barbara

• ISBN13: 9780813812533
• ISBN10: 0813812534
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-20
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Barbara Gastel, physician and acclaimed medical journalist, has prepared an expanded, enhanced second edition of Health Writer's Handbook. Fully updated, the latest edition of this trusted handbook has grown by nearly 100 pages, solidifying its reputation as a "practical guide packed with specifics on how to write about health intelligently and with sensitivity" (Nieman Reports). Examples of exemplary health writing now abound with insightful annotated comments. "Medical Reporting for the Electronic Media" (contributed by Tom Linden, M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) addresses health reporting for television, radio, and the Internet. Also new to this edition is coverage of legal matters in the retitled "Ethical and Legal Issues" chapter. Journalistic exercises bring chapters to a close giving the reader opportunities to apply the principles presented. Health Writer's Handbook, Second Edition is a reference guide and textbook all in one, invaluable to experienced health writers looking to improve their writing and to students beginning their study in medical journalism.

Author Biography

BARBARA GASTEL, MD, has faculty appointments in medical humanities, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology at Texas A&M University, where she coordinates the graduate program in science journalism.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	ix
List of Example Articles	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
Part I Finding Topics and Information
1. Some Basics	3	(6)
Approaches to Finding Topics	3	(1)
Evaluating Topics	4	(2)
Saving Ideas	6	(1)
An Information-Gathering Strategy	6	(1)
Exercises	7	(2)
2. Books and Periodicals	9	(22)
General and Medical Libraries	9	(3)
Medical Books	12	(2)
Medical Periodicals	14	(15)
Exercises	29	(2)
3. Government, Associations, and Other Institutions	31	(20)
Using Institutional Sources	31	(5)
Government	36	(6)
Organizations	42	(3)
Educational Institutions	45	(1)
Health-Care Institutions	46	(1)
Industry	46	(1)
Conferences	47	(2)
Exercises	49	(2)
4. Researchers, Clinicians, Patients, and Others	51	(14)
Identifying People to Interview	51	(2)
Tips on Interviewing	53	(2)
Interviewing Members of Various Groups	55	(8)
Exercises	63	(2)
5. Online Sources	65	(10)
The World Wide Web	65	(2)
Electronic Mail	67	(3)
Discussion Groups	70	(1)
Exercises	71	(4)
Part II Preparing the Piece
6. Evaluating Information	75	(24)
The Source	75	(2)
Consistency	77	(1)
The Study Design	77	(7)
The Numbers	84	(7)
Interpretations	91	(1)
Applicability	92	(1)
Alternatives	92	(1)
Uniqueness	93	(1)
The Big Picture	94	(1)
The Costs	94	(1)
Exercises	95	(4)
7. Health-Writing Technique	99	(24)
Assessing the Audience	99	(1)
Beginning Effectively	100	(2)
Defining the Focus	102	(1)
Explaining Well	103	(4)
Providing Orientation	107	(1)
Providing Points of Entry	107	(1)
Including Human Interest	108	(1)
Presenting Numbers and Sizes Effectively	109	(1)
Ending Strongly	110	(1)
Providing Access to Further Information	111	(1)
Checking for Accuracy	112	(1)
Checking with the Audience	113	(2)
Exercises	115	(1)
Example	116	(7)
8. Genres of Health Writing	123	(38)
News Stories and News Releases	123	(3)
Investigative and Depth Reporting	126	(12)
(Annotated news stories and a news release)	127	(11)
The Feature Article Family	138	(5)
(Annotated part of a feature article)	139	(4)
Other Article Genres	143	(1)
Books	143	(2)
Exercises	145	(1)
Examples	146	(15)
9. Medical Reporting for the Electronic Media by Tom Linden, MD	161	(24)
History of Medical Television News Reporting	161	(6)
Elements of a Medical Television Script	167	(5)
How to Start	172	(1)
Putting Together the Package	173	(4)
Other Television Formats	177	(1)
Radio Formats	178	(1)
A Few Words about Production	179	(1)
And Some Words About Voicing	180	(1)
Medical Reporting on the Web	180	(1)
Final Word about Health Policy Reporting	181	(1)
Exercises	182	(3)
10. Sensitivity and Style	185	(18)
Writing about People with Disabilities or Diseases	185	(3)
Some Matters of Medical Usage	188	(8)
Additional Items of Usage	196	(4)
Exercises	200	(3)
11. Award Winners and Awards	203	(46)
Using Award-Winning Work as Models	203	(7)
Participating in Writing Contests	210	(9)
Exercises	219	(1)
Examples	219	(30)
Part III Exploring Issues and Areas
12. Ethical and Legal Issues	249	(18)
Approaches to Ethical Issues in Health Writing	250	(1)
Codes of Ethics	250	(3)
Areas Posing Ethical Issues	253	(7)
Legal Considerations	260	(5)
Exercises	265	(2)
13. Covering Key Realms	267	(14)
Diseases	267	(6)
Health-Care Technologies	273	(3)
Health Policy, Health Care, and Related Areas	276	(1)
Other Realms	277	(3)
Exercises	280	(1)
14. Presenting Risk	281	(10)
Understanding Risk Perception	281	(1)
Presenting Risk	282	(3)
Covering Environmental Risk: Some Resources	285	(3)
Exercises	288	(3)
Part IV Pursuing a Career
15. Career Options	291	(14)
Media Old and New	291	(7)
Public Information and Public Relations	298	(1)
Freelance Writing	299	(2)
Finding Health-Writing Opportunities	301	(2)
Exercises	303	(2)
16. Professional Organizations	305	(8)
Main Organizations	305	(4)
Organizations in Related Areas	309	(1)
Broader Organizations	310	(1)
Exercises	311	(2)
17. Educational Opportunities	313	(18)
Courses and Programs	313	(3)
Internships and Related Opportunities	316	(2)
Fellowships	318	(4)
Additional Resources	322	(2)
Exercises	324	(1)
Example	325	(6)
References	331	(18)
Sources Cited	331	(10)
Sources of Additional Help or Perspective	341	(8)
Index	349