The unrealistic depiction of trauma resuscitation in popular medical dramas: A content analysis

This study addressed two fundamental questions in cultivation: Is the total amount of time devoted to TV viewing a stronger predictor of cultivation than genre-specific exposure, and is the cultivation phenomenon in some domains capped by a ceiling effect? Data obtained from a content analysis of complete seasons of three successful medical programs – ER, House, and Grey’s Anatomy (66 episodes altogether) – were used to compose a survey which asked a representative sample of US adults (N = 281) to estimate the frequency of health concerns that were identified in the content analysis. The results partly support the cultivation hypothesis in its Gerbnerian version because the total amount of time devoted to TV viewing was found to be related to overestimating the proportion of dramatic diagnoses (poisoning and injuries) and exaggerating the mortality rate of inpatients; however, no effect was noted for items concerning elderly inpatients, and no effect was found for viewing of medical dramas. Since the distribution of the items concerning elderly inpatients was prone to a ceiling effect, the results lent support to the idea that the cultivation effect is sometimes capped by a ceiling effect.

Download Full-text

Changing the face of medicine, alternating the meaning of human

Critical Studies in Television The International Journal of Television Studies ◽

10.1177/1749602016646003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 230-243

Author(s):

Eszter Nádasi

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Medical Issues ◽

Medical Dramas ◽

The Face ◽

Medical Drama

Seasons 11 and 12 of the popular medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy (2005–) present potentially revolutionizing medical innovations and fields of research that are discussed in this article in terms of academic debates about posthumanism. Doctors in Grey’s Anatomy believe their work can change the face of medicine and change what it means to be human. By means of content analysis of three storylines, this essay explores representations of medical innovations in the show. Since medical dramas have a proven capacity to raise awareness about medical issues, this article argues that Grey’s Anatomy is able to educate its audience about potentially life-changing medical developments.

Download Full-text

The Depiction of Illness and Related Matters in Two Top-Ranked Primetime Network Medical Dramas in the United States: A Content Analysis

Journal of Health Communication ◽

10.1080/10810730.2010.492564 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (5) ◽

pp. 555-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Yinjiao Ye ◽

Kristina E. Ward

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Content Analysis ◽

The United States ◽

Medical Dramas

Download Full-text

Of Frames and Cultures - A Cross-Cultural Comparison of TV Newscasts

Zeitschrift für Medienpsychologie ◽

10.1026/1617-6383.18.4.160 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 160-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Senokozlieva ◽

Oliver Fischer ◽

Gary Bente ◽

Nicole Krämer

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Arab World ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Cultural Comparison ◽

Explorative Study ◽

Cross Cultural Comparison ◽

Tv News ◽

The Usa ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. TV news are essentially cultural phenomena. Previous research suggests that the often-overlooked formal and implicit characteristics of newscasts may be systematically related to culture-specific characteristics. Investigating these characteristics by means of a frame-by-frame content analysis is identified as a particularly promising methodological approach. To examine the relationship between culture and selected formal characteristics of newscasts, we present an explorative study that compares material from the USA, the Arab world, and Germany. Results indicate that there are many significant differences, some of which are in line with expectations derived from cultural specifics. Specifically, we argue that the number of persons presented as well as the context in which they are presented can be interpreted as indicators of Individualism/Collectivism. The conclusions underline the validity of the chosen methodological approach, but also demonstrate the need for more comprehensive and theory-driven category schemes.

Download Full-text

Searching Online for Methods of Suicide

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000701 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Christian Ulrich Eriksen ◽

Flemming Konradsen ◽

Thilde Vildekilde

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

English Language ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Background Information ◽

Access To Information ◽

Online Content ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Search Terms ◽

Methods Of Suicide

Abstract. Background: Information on methods of suicide is available online, and access to information on methods of suicide appears to contribute to a small but significant proportion of suicides. There is limited documentation of how methods of suicide are being profiled, as well as what content exists in other languages than English. Aim: We aimed to analyze and compare how methods of suicide are profiled on Danish and English-language websites. Method: We applied a categorization and content analysis of websites describing methods of suicide. Sites were retrieved by applying widely used Danish and English-language search terms. Results: A total of 136 English-language websites and 106 Danish-language websites were included for analysis. Websites were more often categorized as prevention or support sites, academic or policy sites, and against suicide sites than dedicated suicide sites (i.e., pro-suicide sites), or information sites. However, information on methods of suicide was available, and 20.1% and 8.9% of the English and Danish-language sites, respectively, suggested that a particular method of suicide was quick, easy, painless, or certain to result in death. Limitations: Only one author coded and analyzed all websites. A further operationalization of the content analysis checklist is warranted to increase reliability. Conclusion: The websites primarily had a prevention or anti-suicide focus, but information on methods of suicide was available, requiring an increased focus on how to diminish the negative effects of harmful online content.

Download Full-text

Types of Stressors on Nonprofessional Against-Suicide and Pro-Suicide Message Boards

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000562 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 257-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas Niederkrotenthaler ◽

Benedikt Till

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Interpersonal Problems ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Presenting Problems ◽

Message Boards ◽

Safe Method ◽

Different Types ◽

Psychiatric Problems

Abstract. Background: Little is known about presenting problems of primary posters (i.e., posters opening the thread) and their responders in nonprofessional against-suicide and pro-suicide message boards. Aims: We aimed to compare problems described in suicide message boards between different types of users (primary posters and respondents) and between against-suicide, neutral, and pro-suicide message boards. Method: In all, 1,182 archival threads with 20,499 individual postings from seven nonprofessional suicide message boards supporting an against-suicide, neutral, or pro-suicide attitude were randomly selected. Problems mentioned by primary posters and their respondents were coded with content analysis. Differences between pro-suicide, neutral, and against suicide boards, as well as correlations between primary posters and respondents, were calculated. Results: Interpersonal problems were most frequently mentioned by primary posters in against-suicide threads (40.9%) and less frequently in pro-suicide threads (11.8%; p < .001). In pro-suicide boards, the most frequent stressors were suicide method-related (e.g., how to identify a safe method: 26.2% vs. 2.5% in against-suicide boards, p < .001). Primary posters resembled respondents in terms of presenting problems in pro-suicide boards, but not in against-suicide boards. Limitations: Only self-reported problems were assessed. Conclusion: The results confirm a stronger focus on death than on life among users in pro-suicide message boards, and posters with similar problems meet in pro-suicide boards. The posters appear to clearly emphasize social strains over psychiatric problems compared with some professional settings.

Download Full-text

How to be ConTENT With Rorschach CONtent

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000082 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 147-165

Author(s):

Charles A. Peterson

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Abstract Content

Abstract. Content analysis is a late and contentious addition to the Rorschach canon. The determinants have ruled. Hermann Rorschach was at best, ambivalent about content analysis, focusing on the perceptual aspects of the process. Rorschachers have been not been conTENT about CONtent. The literature on the pros and cons and the how-to of content analysis is reviewed chronologically, concluding with eight issues and objections that have left Rorschach practitioners malcontent with content. Hoping to help practitioners improve the analysis of Rorschach content, ten suggestions, often with examples, are offered, these “hints” affecting both conceptualization and practice. A case fragment is appended to the review to host the above suggestions and to illustrate the (likely) less frequent “active evocation” of content to further the analysis.

Download Full-text

Perceived Realism of Television Medical Dramas and Perceptions About Physicians

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000047 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 141-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hyunyi Cho ◽

Kari Wilson ◽

Jounghwa Choi

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Factor Analyses ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Perceived Realism ◽

Medical Dramas ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Different Dimensions

This study investigated whether and how dimensions of perceived realism of television medical dramas are linked to perceptions of physicians. The three dimensions of perceived realism were considered: plausibility, typicality, and narrative consistency. Data from a survey of college students were examined with confirmatory factor analyses and hierarchical regression analyses. Across the three dramas (ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and House), narrative consistency predicted positive perceptions about physicians. Perceived plausibility and typicality of the medical dramas showed no significant association with perceptions about physicians. These results illustrate the importance of distinguishing different dimensions of perceived realism and the importance of narrative consistency in influencing social beliefs.

Download Full-text