Council on Communications and Media Blog

A Different Take on Social Media: Our patients...Today's YouTube Stars?

2009-07-30T09:17:00.003-04:00

“Did you see, I made the news”, said my teenage patient a few hours after being shot twice in the legs.

“No”, I said, “I’ve been busy taking care of the other patients in the ED”.

“Too bad”, he replied. “It was pretty cool”.

I have never thought of having a gunshot wound as pretty cool. However, I am not part of this new generation that expects to be a part of social media, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

A moment on the trends I have been seeing….

1. Teens with injuries sustained while doing some activity (likely not a safe or wise activity) that is being taped for production on YouTube. For example, with the warm weather brings the annual “what can we do to make a Slip-and-Slide more dangerous”? The last two teens with splenic lacerations opted to show me the injury as it was happening as depicted by video on YouTube. That is, before coming to the hospital, the patient (or the patient’s friend) took the time to post the video of the injury inducing event to YouTube.

2. Families videotaping injuries instead of helping the child being injured. I recently cared for a young man that was attacked in a local park. When I asked for a description of what happened, his older brother (of adult age) said he could show me the video if I wanted. When I asked why he chose to video the event instead of help his brother, he replied that he thought it would be better for the police and the news to have the video.

3. Victims of violence feeling a sense of accomplishment when their stories are covered on the local news. The gunshot victim provides a classic example.

Perhaps our entrance into social media is not best served by the medical professionals producing their own spots, but instead helping to prevent our young patients (and when necessary, their families) from being the star of these less than endearing media clips.

This is a new health crisis impacting the youth of today. I am at a loss as to the root of the problem. Is it due to the dramatic increase in reality TV? Are kids getting the message that since anyone can post a video on-line they are not worthy unless their video is the most dramatic, dangerous, outlandish, or destructive? What would cause a family member to choose allowing injury to a loved one over stopping an assault? Perhaps in addition to reviewing our patients’ charts prior to a visit, we need to Google them too…then discuss what we find when we see them in our offices!

By Elizabeth Murray DO MBA

Editor's Note:

Dr. Murray has offered us a bird's eye view into the real world of how kids are using social media. Our job is to figure out how to use this information clinically. Perhaps it's as simple as asking "been on YouTube recently?"

R Rated at 40,000 Feet?

2009-07-30T09:00:00.003-04:00

As I make my mental checklist to prepare for family vacations, I instinctively remember the booster seats, Ziploc bags to carry snacks, and card games and books for the long flight. But I’ve been caught short-handed on a few flights with my kids due to unexpected entertainment provided free of charge by my airline “hosts” and without the opportunity of refusal. I am sometimes at a loss when my kids are staring right up at the airline’s offering of a violent R movie on the overhead screens. I took frequent transcontinental flights when my elder son (now 12) was an infant and toddler and learned the hard way that my discerning taste for my child was not shared by the airlines. I actually purchased one of the first laptops with a DVD player just so I could use that in a pinch…and I used it shortly afterwards when my toddler son looked up and saw that Matrix was playing right in his view. The Tigger Movie was my quick replacement!

Federal broadcast laws do not apply to in-flight entertainment, and airlines are not required to adhere to motion picture ratings. The Family Friendly Flights Act was introduced in Congress in September 2007 (the 110th session of Congress) to require separate airplane seating areas for kids and families to protect them from violent inflight entertainment. Although it was referred to committee, it did not get referred back to the House and is not law. However, child advocacy groups and flight attendants have continued to work with the airlines and movie studios to lobby for logical guidelines on the selection of movies for inflight entertainment on overhead screens.

On my most recent flight with my kids, now 7 and 12, we were fortunate. The boys had their portable entertainment available but the overhead fare was reasonable for their eyes. But searching the airline websites for last month’s movies showed me that they might have been faced with Gran Torino, Dark Knight, or Quantum of Solace. US Airways, Delta and countless other airlines assert their prerogative to screen any movie for the enjoyment of all of their passengers and to edit them as they see fit.

So what is a parent to do to protect his child from inappropriate inflight films? While airline spokespersons have suggested that a parent contact a flight attendant who might be able to switch the family to “obstructed view” seats during the flight, we all know that the planes are usually filled to capacity these days. This is a chancy option at best. So here are my tips for a safer flight:

1) Choose an airline that has signed onto the principles of the Family Friendly Flights Act or at least have individual screens for each passenger. This includes Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, and Jet Blue.

2) Check on airline website for the movies that are scheduled for the upcoming month. This may or may not be helpful if you are purchasing ticket months ahead, but it will give you a heads up about the relative risk of your 2 year old watching Gran Torino or Watchmen.

3) Either purchase/borrow a portable DVD player (we bought one for about $60 at Christmas) or consider renting from an airport facility or from the airline itself. Alaska Airlines rents onboard digEplayers (personal entertainment players) to passengers with 24 hours notice. InMotion Entertainment has stores in major airports and will rent you a personal DVD player and DVDs for the flight or the whole trip. In a pinch, as I have done, use the DVD player in your laptop. For those with really good eyes, you may hand over your iPod pre-loaded with an appropriate movie for the little ones! In the case of a VERY curious preschooler, a blanket “tent” might make a fun diversion to keep her eyes on her movie and off the overhead screen.

4) Of course, try to limit your kids’ screen time on the flights. Bring books, music, playing cards and travel games for the whole family. Kids often love the one-on-one time with a parent held captive right next to them for 6 hours straight. Scrabble, Mastermind, and many other classic games come in travel editions. My younger son cajoled my husband into reading a 300 page adventure novel to him on a series of flights when he was four.

5) Provide feedback on inflight entertainment to EVERYONE in the travel industry. I have been receiving more post-flight surveys these days and I make comments on the movie issue even when it is not the topic of the survey. I applaud those flights in which I am not scrambling to “distract” (Horton Hears a Hoo followed Yes Man on our transatlantic flight…good option but the kids were already asleep for the G movie!) and I draw attention to the times that I am not so pleased (The Day the World Stood Still did not make my cut on a recent flight due to apocalyptic scenes).

Letting airlines know that you will be looking elsewhere for your travel needs is the best way to protect all of our children from these films. Airlines are traveling movie theatres but are not members of the MPAA and do not have to follow MPAA rating guidelines. So your efforts to keep your child from a PG-13 or R movie while at home are being undermined by the airlines’ lack of commitment to families. The airline industry needs your dollars and advocacy may start with consumer decisions. Until the friendly skies change, however, travel with kids means travelling prepared. Bon voyage!

By Mary Beth Miotto, MD, FAAP

Editor's Note:

Readers may be interested in checking out www.kidsafefilms.org, an organization dedicated to this very issue.

Sexting: dangerous but is it a crime?

2009-04-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

“Come gather round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
Then you better start swimming
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a changing”

Bob Dylan’s song of protest (voted #59 of the top 500 songs ever written by Rolling Stone) seems as prescient today as in 1964, especially as COCM members recognize the latest teen-technology on-line behavior:sexting. Research studies reflecting usage reveal that between 20-25% of all teens have sent or posted semi-naked or naked pictures. A higher percentage says that exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up more likely.

Teens have been recently charged with disseminating child pornography in 9 states, many have to then register as sex offenders. Meanwhile,the media (as usual) has sensationalized the issue by the way it has covered the topic, often confusing parents, teens and even pediatricians.

But the real question here is this: should laws made to protect children be used to prosecute them? I believe that misses the point. Pediatricians and parents should look beyond the headlines to the convergence of adolescence and these electronic devices that allow instant communication decisions from immature teen brains.

These kids are not threats to society.They’re reckless hormonal narcissists who are tasked with growing up in a sexualized society. Their previously private thoughts are now revealed all too publically. They often are the real victims here: assaulted by a desire and opportunity to get older-younger.

Parents need to become aware that the media has ensured that adolescence occurs well before Tanner stage II. The media has framed the issue, but not focused on real solutions. That's where we can help enormously with our pediatric knowledge and media skills!

So what is the Pediatrician’s role when it seems that teens are more connected to their devices, and each other, but disconnected from their parents? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

1) Don’t wait until a health maintenance appointment to frame the issue of texting/sexting. Rarely does a teen or tween appear in the office without a cell phone. (Or receive a call during the appointment).

2) Remind them that a text or sext, once sent, is out of their control permanently. Examples abound from the pictures of Vanessa Hudgins (HSM 1,2,3-oh google her) or Michael Phelps and his famous bong picture.

3) Ask about whether parent is concerned about texting as nauseum. Most will agree
about the numbers, but will be clueless as to potential solutions.

4) Advise visiting ThatsNotCool.com (go there yourself). A great site with tools and guidance, prime parenting directives actually, to buffer cyber-stalking and cyber-pressures. The site also has great posts that could be taken from the site to stimulate a discussion in your examination rooms, newsletters, websites.

Note that as the January archives article revealed, uncovering the problem does not imply you have to solve it. Expressing awareness and concern, could, hopefully, motivate parents to seek opportunities to learn and engage in collaborative conversations that would lead to constructive solutions.

“Come Mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don’t criticize what you don’t understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old record is rapidly aging
Please get a new one
If you can’t lend a hand
For the times they are a changing”

By Don Shifrin, MD, FAAP

What if every pediatrician was on twitter?

2009-04-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Is the absence of pediatricians on social media platforms a public health issue for children? It might be. Misinformation predisposes children to risk. We all can identify instances where poor decisions for a child were made on corrupt information obtained online.

And as doctors we complain. We see ourselves as victims. Our patients are reading someone else’s information and opinion. And most of us handle matters by taking precious time to get the facts straight. Time that could be better spent on anticipatory guidance or counseling in other areas.

But to some extent the issue of bad information is our responsibility.

As pediatricians our response to online misinformation tends to be reactive. For some reason we never think that we should be the ones generating the information and dialogue. As the group charged with the well-being of the next generation we need to be proactive. We have a commitment to see to it that we are visible and vocal online.

So what can you as a fellow of the AAP do?

Contribute to a blog. It doesn’t have to be your own blog. There are many that would be happy to host you as a guest author. Offer practical input on the issues that you see creating confusion in your parent base. If every fellow of the AAP posted one blog post annually on the absent association between vaccines and autism, for example, there would be 60,000 online entries which would likely dominate search engines.

Comment regularly on news sites, blogs or anywhere there’s dialog on children’s health. With no input from those of us with the facts, discussion will be dominated by a vocal minority, many of whom have an agenda not representing the interests of the parental reader.

Begin a Twitter account. Just a few minutes a day cultivating relationships with peers, patients and ‘followers’, AAP fellows have the potential to change minds and influence thinking. Twitter is a platform for the dissemination of ideas, thoughts and information in ‘tweets’ of 140 characters. Assuming just 250 followers (I have 1,000), the news of a measles outbreak associated with undervaccination, for example, could instantly reach 15 million individuals with a single tweet from AAP members.

The battle for the health of our children and the sanity of our parents is now fought online. A commitment to online literacy through active involvement by AAP Fellows in social media should be seen as a critical advocacy role.

By Bryan Vartbedian, MD, FAAP

Being A TV Medical Expert: Tips to get asked back

2009-04-21T10:23:00.001-04:00

Being asked to appear as a guest medical expert for the first time is an exciting experience. How do you ensure you will be asked to come back on the show again? The following are a few tips I have picked up along the way:

1) Arrive early. The last thing the producer wants to do is worry about whether you are going to make it to a live appearance. It's better for you stroll around the neighborhood and collect your thoughts on the topic for a few minutes, rather than run the risk of receiving panicked phone calls from a producer.

2) Be courteous from the moment you enter the building. Smile at the security guard, be friendly to the intern or page who escorts you in the building, and make small talk with the people in the green room. Not only will it make good impressions, but you will appear relaxed and confident. Often times, the make-up artist or others in the green room will ask what you are about to talk about…it's great practice to speak your thoughts aloud, so be sure to use the opportunity. Just remember that what's spoken in the green room may be repeated in public.

3) Ask ahead of time if you need to arrive camera-ready. Some shows will have a stylist on set to do hair and make-up, others will expect you to arrive camera-ready, and some will have someone ready to touch up what you have applied ahead of time. It pays to ask before you arrive. Additionally, I recommend that the ladies always carry some make-up and hairspray, in case you get stuck in traffic and don't have time for the full stylist treatment. Gentlemen, I encourage you to accept the offer of face powder. Distracting shine can take attention away from your good messages.

4) Discuss the segment with the producer ahead of time. Some producers will want to pre-interview you on the telephone, while others will want you to email 'talking points' in advance of the show. Either way, make sure you have some contact with the producer ahead of time, so you know what to expect and aren’t faced with any surprises on camera.

The producer will ask you about the topic you will be discussing so before you speak with the producer take a few minutes to do a quick internet search, even if you are well-versed on the topic. One great resource is the AAP "children's health topics" page on your topic at www.aap.org. A small bit of mental organization goes a long way in making you sound like an expert who can convey a lot of valuable information in a short period of time.

While on the phone, ask the producer if he or she would like you to email formal ‘talking points’ for the show. If so, send these in Q&A form. Even if the producer does not desire ‘talking points’ from you, creating some for your own personal use is a fantastic way to prepare for the segment.

Issues to ask the producer about include duration of the segment, who will be interviewing you, what to expect when you arrive at the studio, and whether hair and make up touch up are provided.

5) Be flexible. Things frequently change in the broadcast world, and they can change last minute. I have had a topic change upon arrival at the studio, leaving me only 10 minutes to review the topic on my i-phone. Though this would fluster almost anyone, try not to let the producers know you are uncomfortable about a last minute switch. The more easygoing you are, the more likely they are to have you back. And, unfortunately, we all get cancelled. Sometimes it's the day before, sometimes it's the morning of, and sometimes it's even after sitting on the set. I personally have been sitting next to the interviewer with my microphone on, only to have my medical segment bumped by someone talking about vegetarian turkeys for Thanksgiving! But don't give away your annoyance, even if you (ahem) changed around your whole schedule, only to have the segment be canceled at the last second.

6) Be reachable. Immediate access to email is a must. Often you will receive an appearance request in the form of an email. If your response time isn't quick enough, you risk losing the opportunity. A blackberry or i-phone really comes in handy if you plan to appear on air often.

7) Send a quick thank you email. It's always nice to send a brief "thank you for having me" email, and it gives you an opportunity to say that you would love to come on again if the need should arise. Many times this has opened the door for me to send pitches back to the producer.

By: Alanna Levine, MD, FAAP

Discussing On-Line Profiles - A New Addition To The Well-Child Exam

2009-03-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Through social networking sites, teens can now hangout with their friends without leaving their homes. But unlike sitting in a friend's basement, you're not always sure who else is there. There are unseen risks involved with virtual communities. Depending on the settings of one's web profile, personal information, photos, etc. may be open to anyone who wants to see them. Teens may be more lax about what they share on-line. They may say and do things on-line that they would shy away from in person. Teens may also feel pressured by their virtual community to post comments or pictures that may be inappropriate or illicit unwanted attention.

With how common these sites have become in everyday adolescent life, it would be wise for us as pediatricians to begin to include them in the teenage well-child exam. On-line activity and its risks can easily be worked into the "activities" part of a HEADSS exam. Incorporating it into the HEADSS exam can open the door to discussing the risks involved with putting personal information on-line as well as how to protect one's self and maintain one's privacy.

A recent study published in January's Archives of Adolescent and Pediatric Medicine has shown that adolescents may be open to advice regarding how and what they display about themselves on-line. In this study, a physician using MySpace sent an email to 18- to-20 year olds who displayed risky behavior in their on-line profiles. She informed them that the information they were sharing was open for anyone to see and advised that they take steps to maintain their privacy. 42% of the interventional group versus about 30% of the control group (P=0.7) made some sort of protective change whether it was reducing references to sex and substance use or changing their web profile setting to private.

These results were based on an unsolicited email from an unknown physician. It is likely that advise from one's own pediatrician with whom they have had a relationship for many years would be much more influential. Although there are many things to cover at the teenage well-child visit, given how much time teenagers spend on-line and in these virtual communities it is incumbent upon us to find the time and make the effort to discuss the risks involved.

By
Corinn Cross, MD, FAAP
COCM Website and Blog Editorial Advisory Group Member

The Nation's Doctor

2009-02-27T07:50:00.002-05:00

As Surgeon General, from 1998-2002, Dr. David Satcher described his role as the “Nation’s Doctor”. In 2007, he testified before Congress stating in part, “I believe that it is the responsibility of the Surgeon General to communicate directly with the American people….” (Committee on Oversight and Government Reform The Surgeon General’s Vital Mission: Challenges for the Future Testimony by David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. July 10, 2007.) Surgeon General nominee, Sanjay Gupta has already proven that he can communicate with the American people. The prevailing argument however, is that it takes more than a reporter to be the Surgeon General. His first challenge will be Congressional approval. After approval, Dr. Gupta will likely spend the majority of his time winning the support of those who believe he is not qualified.

Only two of the last eleven Surgeon Generals are easily remembered: C. Everett Koop and Joycelyn Elders. C. Everett Koop was Surgeon General from 1982-1989. He is a Pediatric Surgeon and continues to make television appearances. He was very public during his service and fit the stereotype of what most Americans associate with wisdom and experience. The Surgeon General warning labels and C. Everett Koop are synonymous in the minds of Americans who witnessed the obscure office become a very public platform. The second memorable Surgeon General is Jocelyn Elders who was Surgeon General from 1993-1994. She is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and created a media firestorm with comments about masturbation. Her firing began a rift in the perception of what the Surgeon General should promote. Public health advocates and political conservatives do not always agree on what message the Country should hear.

These two examples demonstrate contrasting communication styles and media experience. Media knowledge is a vital skill for an effective Surgeon General. It is this role as the “Nation’s Doctor” and his ability to communicate that illuminates the choice of Dr. Gupta for Surgeon General. Dr. Gupta is a neurosurgeon who has already become a trusted source of information for millions. However, he may not have the support of many in the scientific community or the Public Health Corps, which he would oversee. As with many institutions, experience is the currency that pays the dues. Other physicians also look at the choice as a threat to public health and primary care because he is a sub-specialist without a Public Health degree. The past eleven Surgeon Generals have had specialties to include neonatology, family medicine, nephrology and veterinarian medicine. The current acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson specializes in Preventative Medicine and Occupational Health. Dr. Gupta’s credentials as an expert in neurosurgery confirm his ability to practice medicine. His success in public health would depend on taking full advantage of the vast resources at his disposal. If Dr. Gupta utilizes the scientific and medical advise of experts to analyze the evidence and then, uses his skills as a communicator to direct the National health goals he has the potential to be one of the best remembered Surgeon Generals in a generation. Imagine 15 year-olds talking at lunch, “Dr. Gupta said, ‘Ephedra can kill you.”

The Office of the Surgeon General may be poised for the spotlight and focus America’s medical needs toward the best care practices. Or it may become another distraction from important issues. We may see how ready for change everyone is and how an effective communicator can make a difference.

by
Jeff Hutchinson, MD, FAAP, FSAM
COCM Website and Blog Editorial Advisory Committee Member

Social Media Sites and Inauguration Coverage: A Glimpse Into Communication of Today and The Future

2009-01-22T16:09:00.003-05:00

This week's Inauguration will not easily be forgotten. From the earliest moments to the First Couple's First Dance, it was a day filled with hope, memorable "tissue" moments, though-provoking music and words, and images of a gracious passing of the Presidential torch of power that will be carried with all of us for a very long time.

In addition to the usual TV coverage, a surprising twist to my day was how much more enhanced the experience became for me due to the power of my social media involvement on Twitter and Facebook. As the Inaugural events were unfolding, simultaneously, my virtual community of friends and colleagues were posting their impressions and images real-time from all 4 corners the United States. We even shared what we were snacking on! No longer sitting alone with our thoughts, we became a rich community of voices sharing our thoughts and impressions real-time.In the blink of an eye, a virtual living room of spectators for the biggest historical moment in most of our lives emerged.

And, we were not alone! JuJu Chang from ABC News had a flipcamera and her iPhone at the Inauguration. She not only posted videos on her ABC News blog but updated to Twitter and Facebook throughout the day. It was a cool way to give views another way to experience the Inauguration besides the more traditional TV coverage ABC was also doing, which was excellent.

We have yet to really tap into the full power of these communication tools but if Tuesday was any indication, a door has been opened that we have only just begun to walk through. It will be interesting to see how we all end up using social media in our media and communication lives and to learn from each other's experiences. We are likely to find we will only be bound by the limits of our own individual creativeness.

There was a true sense of unity and community this week that was visible and palpable on the Mall, parade route, the many evening balls, and in all our communities on and off line. While I had a bit of Inaugural media coverage brain burnout the following day, I woke up that morning hopeful about the future and looking forward to exploring more the power of the world of social networking.

Image: First Dance (FoxNews)

Republished with permission from Dr. Gwenn Is In

Question Of The Month: Getting Ideas for Media Work

2008-08-14T16:45:00.002-04:00

Media Question #2:

If you do media work such as write a column, article, blog, do TV or radio show, where to you get your headlines or ideas?

A: Headlines: national or local

B: current AAP journal articles and themes

C: the producers or editors give them to me

D: what I see in my practice

E: other – please specify

Here are this month's responses:

"Most of my topics for articles either come from the AAP / journal searches that I find interesting or from the reporters themselves. While I find the stories that I do from the articles I find to be more interesting and satisfying, I don't have a lot of time to pitch story ideas. Thus, I also respond to reporter's ideas more often than I would like."

"A and D: I get my headlines from the NY Times or Chicago Tribune. Patients are the best source of questions and usually answers. It adds the personal touch to the discussion."

"As my blog is for Residents and our local EMS providers, I tend to stick with topics related to what we are seeing in the ED. The saying about things "happening in 3's" is very true where I work! I often incorporate hot topics or seasonal items into the discussion."

"I do a local cable TV interview show called "School Health news' I get my ideas from my knowledge of school Health' and Current AAP Policies."

"All of the above. I read other blogs, columns; listen to talk radio. Then I research and write my editorials or columns. My essays are from my practice."

If you'd like to contribute your answer to this question, email me!! gsokeeffe@aap.net or cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com

GENERATIONAL GAP OR INFORMATIONAL GAP?

2008-08-14T16:26:00.004-04:00

Today's blog is by COCM member Mark Rosenberg M.D., F.A.A.P., from Children's HealthCare Associates in Chicago, Illinois, who writes:

"As recently as two generations ago, when a new parent needed advice on the care and raising of their newborn, the trusted source of information was a grandparent or other close relative. Now the ‘trusted’ source of information is the internet and the various information services available on line. While we owe a great deal to the information revolution on the internet including rapid access to information including libraries of journals that would have required a trip to the university library, there is much to be wary of. Information may be posted by literally anyone, who then becomes an instant expert.

A case in point of the information revolution is recent access to information on vaccines; particularly the celebrity endorsed alternative approaches to immunizing infants. Despite numerous medical studies and epidemiologic research in the safety of vaccines, as well as a track record of reduction in vaccine preventable disease, members of the public have chosen to accept anecdotal stories of alleged harm caused by vaccines. The result has been lower rates of immunization in many areas of the country and the potential for susceptibility to diseases that most pediatricians and emergency departments rarely see including invasive pneumococcal disease and Haemophilus meningitis.

On line parent groups provide another source of information to parents, not unlike the backyard fence that my parents used to chat with neighbors, except that the sources of information are unseen and anonymous. These groups have become sources of health information as well as information about specific physicians. Once one of the physicians in my group acceded to parents’ requests to provide an alternative immunization schedule, she was subsequently identified as the physician to go to, despite not seeking out that role. Word of mouth[on line version] has changed her image and practice. A similar source of information is the blog, an online discussion group frequently within a media source web site. This use of the parent to parent information exchange may have the perception of official sanction when conducted by an ‘official’ media source, such as a newspaper or magazine.

For pediatricians, the challenge is to adapt to the new informational age by convincing families to use validated sources of information and rebuild the confidence in physicians as reliable health care providers. Beyond accurate information medical groups must maintain credibility without conflicts of interest in our relationships with the pharmaceutical industry and vaccine manufacturers. Grandparents play a role in discussing their past experience with vaccine preventable disease. Families need to hear our strong voices as advocates for the health of their children."

Do you have a blog post you want to share with COCM members on media issues? Email me at gsokeeffe@aap.net.

Preparing For A Media Appearance

2008-07-28T09:00:00.003-04:00

When you get a call from the media for an interview, how do you prepare? What goes through your mind?

COCM member Dr. Vandana Bhide, an internist and pediatrician in solo practice in St. Augustine, Florida, was called by the media recently about a situation in her community and shared with us her media lessons learned. She writes:

"Recently, I was interviewed by the CBS affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida to on a story about a local 14-year old girl who almost died of alcohol intoxication after attending an underage party. Here are some things I learned from my media experience:

1) Research, Research, Research. Even though I have spoken at town hall meetings and other forums for the public regarding the medical effects of alcohol on children (I am on the board of a local substance abuse counseling center which also runs a number of in-school alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and intervention programs), I felt so much more confident and calm when I had some time (OK, 30 minutes, tops, but better than no time at all) reviewing the important points I wanted to make about the topic. Even though only 10 seconds of it got on the air, it made for a more interesting 10 seconds!

2) Expect the Unexpected. When the reporter called me to meet for the interview, she asked me to meet her at the “Real Jail” (as opposed to the pretend jail???) After unsuccessful attempts at trying to find “Real Jail” under the “Points of Interest” section of my GPS and then also failing to find this location on Mapquest, I finally resorted to the old-fashioned technique of asking a policeman for directions. I finally figured out that the reporter was referring to the adult jail, not the juvenile detention center. When I saw the segment air, I realized that the reason the team was reporting at the jail was that three people had been arrested in conjunction with the underage party.

3) Be Humble. I gave the interview at 5 PM on a Saturday, and the segment was scheduled to air on the 6 o’clock news. I was told that the piece would probably be bumped off the 10 o’ clock news because of the approaching thunderstorm. You may think that your “expert” opinion is important, but maybe it isn’t in the big scheme of television news. Lesson learned: Weather is Important. Especially on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Especially during hurricane season. Especially during a perfect golf weekend. I guess there wasn’t any breaking weather news because the segment did indeed air again on the 10 o’ clock news.

4) Generate interesting questions and answers. The only question the reporter asked me was, “Should parents speak to their children about alcohol?” The answer seems obvious, and yet studies show that the vast majority of parents don’t speak to their kids about the importance of refraining from alcohol and drugs. So I tried to avoid answering with a brief yes/no question and instead explored what are the barriers to parents and kids having this discussion.

5) Speak in English. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But how many of us have been guilty at some time or the other of speaking in medicalese? Do television viewers understand that “the toxic effects of alcohol include bradycardia and other arrythmias, respiratory depression, hypotension and death by aspiration?” If the explanation is not easily understood, you may find your segment on the cutting room floor!"

COCM Members In The News

2008-07-22T08:53:00.005-04:00

Here's some of the latest media appearances of COCM members:

Ari Brown (Star Ledger: Autism)

Deborah Mulligan (Star Ledger: Dry Drowning)

Deborah Mulligan (Washington Post: Dry Drowning)

Linda Reid Chassiakos (Editorial Daily News)

Linda Reid Chassiakos (Editorial Daily News)

Gwenn O'Keeffe, MD: Dr. Anonymous Radio Show

Gwenn O'Keeffe, MD: Vicky and Jen's Radio Show

Jo Ann Rohyans, MD was on CBS affiliate Ohio (WBNS-TV) on Tuesday, July 8 discussing HPV

Robert Mendelson, MD discussed HPV for "Scribe" a monthly publication for the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland in early July

Richard Baltz, MD, Newborn Colic, Newsweek

Thad Woodward, MD hosts for Line One - Your Health Connection, KSKA, Anchorage, Alaska

Question of The Month: Preparing For Media Calls

2008-07-08T16:45:00.000-04:00

Media Question #1:

When the media calls you for an interview on a child health issue or a breaking headline, what do you do to prepare for the interview? Do you

A. A. Consult the AAP

B. B. Consult medical colleagues

C. C. Do a web search for information

D. D. Just do the interview cold because you know the material so well

E. E. Other: please specify!

Here are some of the answers I received from COCM members:

"When the media (TV, radio or print) calls, I usually put together my thoughts and then check the AAP website and links to verify facts/add statistics to my presentation."
"I do A, B and C"
One COCM member who does a great deal of media wrote:

"A. Consult the AAP--I call Susan Martin or Debbie Linchesky in the AAP Media Relations office if I'm not sure of the AAP's position or a certain angle to take with a topic

B. Consult medical colleagues--I often talk to pediatricians in my office and other AAP media spokespeople just to get a reality check and see if there's something I haven't thought of yet.

C. Do a web search for information--I check the AAP web site for policy information as well as parent guides (these make good links for reporters/consumers). I also like medlineplus.gov and emedicine.com for general medical information.

D. Just do the interview cold because you know the material so well--almost never; even if I know the material like the back of my hand and have done an interview topic many times before, I like to refresh my memory, even if it's just a little bit.

E. Other: please specify! If there's time I try to get a little background information about the reporter or publication/web site/TV station etc. to search for other common ground. (For example, I might be able to say "I really like that story you did on pool safety" and comment that the AAP has new information out about summer safety in the Press Room part of the web site or mention a foundation I've heard of that teaches swimming and drowning prevention to low-income African American kids.) I also figure out what kind of stories they do and then pitch them an idea or two for future topics. This can help keep you relevant as a source."

If you have opinions on this question, let me know and I'll add your answers to the mix! You can email me at cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com

AAP Summer Safety Tip Time - and Tips to Get the Tips to Your Families!

2008-06-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

With summer in full swing and the 4th of July around the corner, we have a lot of advice to give out to our families in the short amount of time our office visits allow. The AAP has some great tips on all the important summer issues, including fireworks, that will help make your job a great deal easier -and more efficient:

1. Fireworks Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association,

"In 2006, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,200 people for fireworks related injuries. 49% of the injuries were to the extremities and 46% were to the head. 55% of the 2006 fireworks injuries were burns, while 30% were contusions and lacerations.
The risk of fireworks injury was two-and-a-half times as high for children ages 10-14 as for the general population."

2. Summer Safety Tips Part I
Sun, Heat Stress, Pool Safety, Bugs, Playgrounds, Bikes and Lawnmowers

3. Summer Safety Tips Part II
Fireworks, Boating and ATVs

So, now that you have the links and highlights, there are some easy ways you can help your families remember the information:

1. Give out a cheat sheet in your office with these links.
2. Include these links in your email newsletter or have the local hospital do it for you. Likely your families receive some sort of seasonal bulletin from your community hospital and most are happy to include information you provide.
3. Post these links on your own blog or website.
4. Write a small article for a local newspaper or blog on summer safety and include these links. Not sure where to start, how about whatever paper you read in your own community!

If you have other ideas for how to share these great AAP tips with families, let me know and I'll share the ideas in a follow-up post: cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com

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AAP Questions DC Handgun Ban Court Decision

2008-06-26T12:36:00.003-04:00

Released June 26, 2008 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Society for Adolescent Medicine:

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS AND SOCIETY FOR ADOLESCENT MEDICINE STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION ON THE D.C. HANDGUN BAN

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society for Adolescent Medicine criticized today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn the District of Columbia’s handgun ban, saying it undermines efforts to protect children and adolescents from preventable injuries and death.

“As pediatricians, too often we see the terrible toll gun violence takes on its youngest victims,” said AAP President Renée R. Jenkins, MD, FAAP. “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a tragedy for children, taking away a critical law needed to fight a public health threat that needlessly claims as many as eight young lives a day in America. We can’t afford to lose any of the tools that can help keep guns out of the reach of children.”

Earlier this year, AAP and SAM, along with three other organizations dedicated to protecting the health and safety of children, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the District’s handgun law.

“The Society for Adolescent Medicine believes that firearm violence is one of the most serious threats to the health of adolescents in the United States,” said SAM President Richard E. Kreipe, MD. “For that reason, the Society supports laws to reduce the availability of handguns, the primary source of firearm injuries among adolescents.”

The ban, one of the strictest in the nation, made it illegal to own handguns in the District. It also required shotgun and rifle owners to unload and disassemble them, or use a trigger lock, if the weapons were kept at home. A lower court overturned the ban in March 2007, prompting the Supreme Court challenge.

In the wake of today’s decision, AAP and SAM urged parents across the United States to take steps to protect their children from firearm violence, including locking up weapons stored at home. “The best way to truly protect children from firearm injuries is to get guns out of their homes, their neighborhoods and where they play,” Jenkins said. “If we don’t, too many children will continue to be hurt or die needlessly.”

June 25 Webinar on the "M" Generation

2008-06-24T09:21:00.003-04:00

Just Kid Inc is holding a webinar tomorrow on the "M" Generation, or "Millenials", at 11:30 EST. Here's the link if you are interested.

According to the Webinar info flier, the goals of this 30 minute presentation are to:

"focus on the “hot buttons” of this important generations:
o How the “m generation” thinks, communicates, and BUYS
o How their attitudes differ from prior generations
o How to market and message to this powerful consumer group
o With the opportunity to “ask the experts” via online q-and-a"

BTW, what's a Millenial? They are the target population of Just Kids. According to Just Kids, the M's are:

"o More numerous
o More affluent
o More educated
o More “connected”
…compared to any prior generation."

Basically, the M's are the parents of the kids we care for!

Should be an interesting 30 minutes so I wanted to pass it along.

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How Addicting Are Cell Phones?

2008-06-13T08:31:00.001-04:00

This you have to read! A 12 and 13 year old were both admitted by their parents to a psychiatric hospital in Spain for "cell phone addiction". According to the BBC article,

"They were doing badly at school and lying to relatives in order to get money to spend on their phones. They were not just doing "badly" in school, by the way, they were actually failing.

They have been learning to cope without their phones for three months."

Heavy stuff - the lying to get money and the very long duration of the admission.

Dr Jose Martinez-Raga, an addiction medicine specialist, advised looking for similar symptoms as with video game addiction:

irritability
anti-social, or withdrawn behavior
poor school performance

We don't usually ask about cell phone use in our office visits but we often see the evidence in hand. Perhaps that is our foot in the door. Perhaps all it takes is asking the kid "do you use a cell phone?" and then asking the parent "So, how are things in school and home?" and going from there. Simple questions that may not add much more time to our plate if we do it right.

I don't know what the right answer is or the right approach but I do think this story is an eye opener.

What would you do to dig into this deeper?

COCM on the Blogsphere: Miami Dr. Deb on Miami Herald

2008-06-06T06:56:00.000-04:00

Being involved with blogs and blog writing can have many levels of involvement. For some of us, developing and maintaining a blog is fun. For others, just writing is the goal. The blogsphere offers both opportunities.

Writing for a blog has a number of perks:
1. writing experience
2. media exposure
3. exposure for your group
4. health education for the readers of the blog

Dr. Deborah Mulligan, a COCM member from Florida, recently became involved with a new blog for the Miami Herald called MomsMiami. I asked Dr. Deb about what made her decide to get involved with this blog at this time. She told me by email:

"With a market in Florida and International communities the Miami Herald website affords me the opportunity as a pediatrician to reach thousands of mothers with information that will better the lives of their children and families. Discussing burning pediatric issues will help families make informed decisions to ensure that their kids are healthy and safe."

MomsMiami has really taken off. The blog's creator told Dr. Deb: "We launched about two months ago and are getting about 70,000+ views a month so far. We have over 2,000 registered users and growing every day." Not surprising given the circulation of the Miami Herald is 4.2 million readers a year - that amounts to about 600,000 readers a day during the week and over 800,000 readers on Sundays!

You can read Dr. Deb's first post here.

How can you get involved in blogs in your area? Check out your local newspapers. You can start small with your local neighborhood and community papers or go larger to your regional or state newspapers. If they don't have a blog, suggest one. Often you'll find the editors are contemplating one! BTW, this is how my foray into the blogsphere started.

If you ever have questions about blogging, email me or drop a line to all of us on the COCM list-serve and those of us blogging will be happy to share our experiences and get you going.

Do you have a blog story to share? Are you involved with your local newspaper blog? I'd love to know! Email me at cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com.

And, if you ever have questions about blogging or are not sure where to begin your hunt to join the ranks of pediatricians like Dr. Deb who are reaching out to families through the blogsphere, drop a line through the list-serve. Those of us doing things you want to do are always happy to help and share!

Japanese Government Takes a Stand on Cell-Phones

2008-06-05T08:45:00.004-04:00

Did you see this headline? Very interesting read. Turns out Japanese children are becoming very addicted to the Internet at very young ages due to their cell phones. These phones have a technology called "3G" or third generation which has very high-speed Internet access. Examples you may be familiar with are Smartphones like the Treo or Blackberry.

The Catch-22 here is that with the long commutes many of these kids face heading to schools, parents rely on cell phones to be able to communicate with their kids and have their kids call them or for help if needed.

A huge amount of Japanese kids have these cell phones. According to CNN, 1/3 of 6th graders and 60% of 9th graders. Two solutions the Japanese Government is exploring to make cell phone use more appropriate for their children include:

1. better filtering programs for the Internet to protect kids for inappropriate access
2. development of cell phones with only talk-only and GPS features

How do you advise your families about cell phones? Do you think we need similar restrictions in the USA? I'd love to know! Email me at cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com.

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Tips For Helping Parents Manage Media

2008-06-02T12:15:00.010-04:00

Today we welcome Guest Blogger Brandy King, librarian at the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH) at Children's Hospital Boston.

Though you may have considered the health effects of media use from a clinical or research standpoint, do you ever wonder how real-life parents navigate today's media world with their families? If you are a already parent yourself, you may be curious to see how other parents handle this aspect of life in their own homes.

Each month, the CMCH e-newsletter features one parent's story about media, which have covered topics such as video game addiction, using a DVR to manage media use, and even taking action on what movies are shown on airplanes. For example, this past month, Callie in Michigan wrote:

"When I get home from a long day, all I want to do is put on the TV and be entertained for a little while. It helps me relax and get my mind off the whirlwind of the past few hours. I know that my kids are no different in this respect; when they get home from school, they need a break. Though I always encourage them to pursue non-media activities, I know that this is one part of their day when they just need to relax. However, I have always been cautious of what it is they see and hear during this time, preferring that the programs are somewhat educational.

A few months ago, I decided to subscribe to a Digital Video Recording (DVR) service because I found myself constantly missing shows I enjoyed. I never expected that the DVR would become such a useful tool for my kids' viewing as well!...."

Callie goes on to talk about the many benefits of the DVR she didn't expect with tips that will surprise you. In addition to learning from other parents experiences, our site has other tip guides to pass on to your families. In this case, we have a DVR/VHS guide.

Check out the complete list of Parent Perspectives, and if you're interested, contact us about writing your own!

Lawn Mower Safety Awareness Starts Today

2008-06-02T12:04:00.004-04:00

Did you know that "nearly 210,000 people – approximately 16,200 of them children under age 19 – were treated in doctors’ offices, clinics and emergency rooms for lawn mower-related injuries in 2007"? I learned this today from an AAP press release reminding us about lawn mower safety.

With June being National Safety month, lawn mower safety has been chosen as one of the key safety issues to promote.The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have united together to encourage us to educate families on the dangers of lawn mowers by reviewing the following tips:

"Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.
Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.
Before mowing, pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
Always wear eye and hearing protection.
Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.
Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.
Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads."

Here's a link to the AAP technical report on lawn more safety.

You can find more information on the lawn mower safety campaign here.

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Can video games be good?

2008-05-31T11:00:00.005-04:00

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced last week that they are funding research to answer an interesting question: can video games be positive for the health and well being of adults and kids?

According to AOL News, some of the research being funded includes:

a Cornell University study on "how a mobile phone game rewarding healthy eating and exercise will influence children's behavior"
a University of Florida study to look at "how playing Playstation 2's "Crazy Taxi" affects perception in the elderly"
a University of South Carolina study "to investigate the potential for using video games such as Wii and EyeToy to help people recover their motor skills after experiencing a stroke"

As Debra Lieberman, a researcher from UC Santa Barbara, said in the article: "A good game, or a game where you could actually learn some skills or develop some self-confidence could displace some of the more time-wasting video games that are out there. That could be a win-win in many ways."

While video games do get a bad rap in the health care world, I'm of the opinion we have to admit there are here to stay and find a way to include them in a healthy life style. If these studies help us advice people to do that better, how can we argue otherwise? What do you think? Email me at cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com and let me know.

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Tomorrow Is World No Tobacco Day

2008-05-30T12:49:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow's World No Tobacco Day has a media theme: Tobacco-Free Youth: Break the Tobacco Marketing Net.

According to the AAP website,

"The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars worldwide on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Recent data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey indicate an increase in tobacco use among adolescent girls in many countries. Much of this increase has been attributed to aggressive marketing by the tobacco industry, which encourages potential users, especially adolescents, to try tobacco and become long-term consumers.
Evidence-based tobacco-control strategies that are comprehensive, sustained, and support nonsmoking behaviors have been shown to prevent and reduce tobacco use. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control calls on countries to implement scientifically proven measures to reduce tobacco use and its impact. Additional information on World No Tobacco Day 2008 activities is available at http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2008/en/index.html."

The WHO interactive World No Tobacco Day website is worth exploring. Shaped like a web, it has buttons for each media industry that will take you to a page that then explains how that industry markets tobacco to youth. TV, movies, billboards, cultural events, sporting events, are among the many media venues listed in this web.

The AAP press release on World No Tobacco Day is worth reading, too. You'll find some interesting stats as well as ways the AAP has already worked with media groups to decrease the exposure of youth to tobacco.

Image: WHO Website

Welcome To Our Child Health Media Blog!

2008-05-28T11:20:00.007-04:00

Welcome to the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media blog! This blog is for you - COCM pediatricians who are already interested in media issues impacting the lives of today's children and families.

In this space, we will develop together an amazing array or resources to help each other become better communicators with our patient's and their parents about media issues and better advocates in the community about the importance of media issues on the lives of kids and families.

The list of potential topics is endless but some that jump to mind include:

current media studies
announcements about media-related conferences and meetings
ideas for talks and lectures on media issues
social media tips and nuts and bolts: including how to blog!
media tips to help each other interface with the media better in print, online, radio and TV
our work in action: ways we, COCM pediatricians, have done what we can to use the media to improve the health and well being of children whether it be to talk to a local reporter in our home town or to work nationally on an AAP campaign.

Some rules for the road. I'll be doing all the posting but welcome guest posts often. I can post daily, once a week or once a month. It all depends on what is happening in the media world and what you send me. So, feel free to get as involved as you'd like with this blog. I welcome you all to become my assistant editors in this amazing journey.

Don't forget to check out our regular COCM website once in a while. And, if you have an idea for a blog post, drop me an email at cocmeditor@pediatricsnow.com.

Cheers!

Dr. Gwenn
Editor-In-Chief
AAP COCM Web Site and Blog

Image: AAP COCM website