Health and medical coverage in the UK national press

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikki Entwistle ◽  
Micheline Hancock-Beaulieu
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Information ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Subject Categories ◽  
Diet And Exercise ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Uk

The growth of UK public interest in health in the last decade is reflected by the inclusion in most national newspapers of regular health or medical sections. These potentially allow subjects to be covered in detail, with more background information and useful advice. This paper reports on a content analysis study of eight national newspapers, which aimed to obtain an overview of press health coverage, to compare the coverage of popular and quality papers, and to analyse differences in health topic coverage between 1981 and 1990. The subject coverage, information provision and presentation of health related articles were considered. The most common subject categories were diseases, preventive medicine (including diet and exercise) and the National Health Service. Class inequalities in health received very little coverage. Clear differences were confirmed between quality broadsheet and popular tabloid newspapers. Quality papers provided more scientific information about health and paid more attention to political contexts. They made more use of authoritative journals and reports than popular papers, which focused on individual case histories and tended to quote a lay viewpoint. Popular press articles were generally more sensationalized and less objective in their reporting style. Newspapers do not exist solely to further public understanding, but have potential to contribute to it. Some informative, useful articles about health are found, but the study shows room for improvement, especially among the papers whose readership is concentrated in lower socio-economic groups.

Crowdfunding for medical expenses in the United Kingdom

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Pifarré Coutrot ◽  
L Cornelsen ◽  
R Smith
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background Medical crowdfunding is a rapidly growing phenomenon worldwide and a new means for patients to finance health related expenses. It raises many ethical concerns such as increasing inequities. In the UK, which operates a state-funded universal health care system, the phenomenon is unexpected and hasn't yet been studied. Our study aims at answering basic questions as who is using crowdfunding to fund health-related expenses, for what and why. Methods We have drawn the first 400 medical campaigns amongst 1,000 available on GoFundMe UK website. We used a content analysis method to extract data from narratives on age, sex, health condition and funds' purposes. Results Among the 400 campaigns, 1/2 requested funds for cancer care for both common and rare cancers, from which 1/3 disclosed a stage 4. A third of the sample sought funds to get treatment abroad, mostly in Germany and the US, for most part cancer therapies such as immunotherapy but also alternative therapies. A quarter of the sample sought support to alleviate financial burden associated with ill-health. Other purposes included getting private care in the UK (19%) and getting medical equipment (18%). Conclusions Our findings may put forward some gaps within the National Health Service (NHS) and social care such as issues to access therapies or equipment, lack of holistic care and inadequate welfare patient support. However, it does not explain fully the rise of crowdfunding that may also be a counterpart of patients' empowerment. For instance, patients can shift to the private sector, in the UK or abroad, when a treatment is not available within the NHS, such as high cost last-resort treatments for those with poor prognosis. We recommend policy makers to: use medical crowdfunding to inform policy,support patients to make empowered decisions,protect patients from commercial traps. Key messages Studying medical crowdfunding allows better understanding of patients’ perceived or actual unmet need for health and social care to inform policy development. This threat to equity should be addressed globally by providing patients with support to be empowered, with universal health coverage and by regulating better private facilities and health tourism.

scholarly journals The Importance of Accessible Information in Promoting the Inclusion of People with an Intellectual Disability

Disabilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-150
Author(s):  
Melody M. Terras ◽  
Dominic Jarrett ◽  
Sharon A. McGregor
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Healthcare Decision Making ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Uk

People with an intellectual disability experience high levels of social exclusion and a range of health inequalities. Increased inclusion and participation in healthcare decision making have been identified as key to promoting inclusion in health and social care. However, achieving these objectives requires increased recognition of the communication and health literacy needs of individuals with an intellectual disability and consideration of the appropriateness of the information currently provided. In this article, we report the results of a pre-COVID-19 qualitative study exploring the provision and use of accessible information to support the healthcare inclusion of individuals with an intellectual disability. A total of 35 clinicians participated in focus group discussions, and 10 people with intellectual disabilities and 10 carers were interviewed regarding their experiences of using accessible health-related information. Qualitative data analysis using a framework approach highlighted the crucial role of communication partners when using accessible information, deficits in current National Health Service (NHS: UK’s publicly funded health care system) information provision in the UK, and possible broader relevance of accessible resources. The implications of these findings for the provision of accessible information in a post-COVID-19 environment are explored, and recommendations are made for the increased integration and theory-driven research to inform the provision, content, and use of health-related information, especially the provision of online information, in the future.

How multidisciplinary are multidisciplinary case reviews in cancer care? Feasibility analysis of a theory-driven team decision-making fidelity framework

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayana Soukup ◽  
Ged Murtagh ◽  
Ben W Lamb ◽  
James Green ◽  
Nick Sevdalis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Recent Decade ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Feasibility Evaluation ◽  
The Uk

Background Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are a standard cancer care policy in many countries worldwide. Despite an increase in research in a recent decade on MDTs and their care planning meetings, the implementation of MDT-driven decision-making (fidelity) remains unstudied. We report a feasibility evaluation of a novel method for assessing cancer MDT decision-making fidelity. We used an observational protocol to assess (1) the degree to which MDTs adhere to the stages of group decision-making as per the ‘Orientation-Discussion-Decision-Implementation’ framework, and (2) the degree of multidisciplinarity underpinning individual case reviews in the meetings. MethodsThis is a prospective observational study. Breast, colorectal and gynaecological cancer MDTs in the Greater London and Derbyshire (United Kingdom) areas were video recorded over 12-weekly meetings encompassing 822 case reviews. Data were coded and analysed using frequency counts.Results Eight interaction formats during case reviews were identified. case reviews were not always multi-disciplinary: only 8% of overall reviews involved all five clinical disciplines present, and 38% included four of five. The majority of case reviews (i.e. 54%) took place between two (25%) or three (29%) disciplines only. Surgeons (83%) and oncologists (8%) most consistently engaged in all stages of decision-making. While all patients put forward for MDT review were actually reviewed, a small percentage of them (4%) either bypassed the orientation (case presentation) and went straight into discussing the patient, or they did not articulate the final decision to the entire team (8%). Conclusions Assessing fidelity of MDT decision-making at the point of their weekly meetings is feasible. We found that despite being a set policy, case reviews are not entirely MDT-driven. We discuss implications in relation to the current eco-political climate, and the quality and safety of care. Our findings are in line with the current national initiatives in the UK on streamlining MDT meetings, and could help decide how to re-organise them to be most efficient.

scholarly journals Comprehensive physiotherapy management in covid-19 – a narrative review

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 38030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deivendran Kalirathinam ◽  
Raj Guruchandran ◽  
Prabhakar Subramani
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Review ◽  
World Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The 2019 novel coronavirus officially named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by the World Health Organization, has spread to more than 180 countries. The ongoing global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, spread to the United Kingdom (UK) in January 2020. Transmission within the UK was confirmed in February, leading to an epidemic with a rapid increase in cases in March. As on April 25- 2020, there have been 148,377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK and 20,319 people with confirmed infection have died. Survival of critically ill patients is frequently associated with significant functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life. Early physiotherapy and community rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients has recently been identified as an essential therapeutic tool and has become a crucial evidence-based component in the management of these patients. This comprehensive narrative review aims to describe recent progress in the application of physiotherapy management in COVID 19 patients. Assessment and evidence- based treatment of these patients should include prevention, reduction of adverse consequences in immobilization, and long-term impairment sequelae. A variety of techniques and modalities of early physiotherapy in intensive care unit are suggested by clinical research. They should be applied according to the stage of the disease, comorbidities, and patient’s level of cooperation.

“It just goes against the grain.” Public understandings of genetically modified (GM) food in the UK

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Scientific Innovation ◽  
Understanding Of Science ◽  
The Uk

This paper reports on one aspect of qualitative research on public understandings of food risks, focusing on lay understandings of genetically modified (GM) food in a UK context. A range of theoretical, conceptual, and empirical literature on food, risk, and the public understanding of science are reviewed. The fieldwork methods are outlined and empirical data from a range of lay groups are presented. Major themes include: varying “technical” knowledge of science, the relationship between knowledge and acceptance of genetic modification, the uncertainty of scientific knowledge, genetic modification as inappropriate scientific intervention in “nature,” the acceptability of animal and human applications of genetic modification, the appropriate boundaries of scientific innovation, the necessity for GM foods, the uncertainty of risks in GM food, fatalism about avoiding risks, and trust in “experts” to manage potential risks in GM food. Key discussion points relating to a sociological understanding of public attitudes to GM food are raised and some policy implications are highlighted.

scholarly journals Does the apple fall far from the tree?: reviewing the communication of scientific information about GMOs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Online Content ◽  
The Public ◽  
Understanding Of Science ◽  
Textual Content ◽  
The Way

Online content is changing the way the public accesses and understands science. The staggering number of often conflicting online sources about science makes it difficult for the lay public to know where to turn in search of accurate scientific information. This project will examine how the nature of online content might be affecting how the public learns about science. Through textual content analyses, it will examine the chain of communication (scientists→online media→public) and document how scientific information evolves. Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ Arctic apple, a genetically modified organism (GMO) that has had the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) gene silenced, will be used as a case study. Three primary themes guide my research: the public understanding of science (PUS), the communication of risk and uncertainty, and social epistemology. The primacy of the PUS movement in public venues for science makes it an important theory for my project, while theories of risk/uncertainty and social epistemology will inform my analysis. My results suggest that: 1) stories about science often include over and understatements of uncertainties and risks; 2) online media stories apply rhetorical frames when reporting scientific information, but the way in which framing is used appears to be reflective of whether the author wishes to persuade their audience; and 3) the rhetorical frames used by online stories about science are not typically integrated into the public’s commentary in a meaningful way, supporting the notion that audiences are active rather than passive and that the public seeks out content that complements their pre-existing beliefs.

scholarly journals Trends in referrals to liaison psychiatry teams from UK emergency departments for patients over 65

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S311-S312
Author(s):  
Sarah Bradbury ◽  
George Crowther ◽  
Manimegalai Chinnasamy ◽  
Laura Shaw ◽  
Sara Ormerod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Liaison Psychiatry ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Uk

AimsThe number of people over the age of 65 attending Emergency Departments (ED) in the United Kingdom (UK) is increasing. Those who attend with a mental health related problem may be referred to liaison psychiatry for assessment. Improving responsiveness and integration of liaison psychiatry in general hospital settings is a national priority. To do this psychiatry teams must be adequately resourced and organised. However, it is unknown how trends in the number of referrals of older people to liaison psychiatry teams by EDs are changing, making this difficult.MethodWe performed a national multi-centre retrospective service evaluation, analysing existing psychiatry referral data from EDs of people over 65. Sites were selected from a convenience sample of older peoples liaison psychiatry departments. Departments from all regions of the UK were invited to participate via the RCPsych liaison and older peoples faculty email distribution lists. From departments who returned data, we combined the date and described trends in the number and rate of referrals over a 7 year period.ResultReferral data from up to 28 EDs across England and Scotland over a 7 year period were analysed (n = 18828 referrals). There is a general trend towards increasing numbers of older people referred to liaison psychiatry year on year. Rates rose year on year from 1.4 referrals per 1000 ED attenders (>65 years) in 2011 to 4.5 in 2019 . There is inter and intra site variability in referral numbers per 1000 ED attendances between different departments, ranging from 0.1 - 24.3.ConclusionTo plan an effective healthcare system we need to understand the population it serves, and have appropriate structures and processes within it. The overarching message of this study is clear; older peoples mental health emergencies presenting in ED are common and appear to be increasingly so. Without appropriate investment either in EDs or community mental health services, this is unlikely to improve.The data also suggest very variable inter-departmental referral rates. It is not possible to establish why rates from one department to another are so different, or whether outcomes for the population they serve are better or worse. The data does however highlight the importance of asking further questions about why the departments are different, and what impact that has on the patients they serve.

scholarly journals Addressing disorder in scholarly communication: Strategies from NISO 2021

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Jodi Schneider ◽  
Michele Avissar-Whiting ◽  
Caitlin Bakker ◽  
Hannah Heckner ◽  
Sylvain Massip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scholarly Communication ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Science Standards ◽  
Validation And Verification ◽  
Related Research ◽  
Health Related Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Conference Session

Open science and preprints have invited a larger audience of readers, especially during the pandemic. Consequently, communicating the limitations and uncertainties of research to a broader public has become important over the entire information lifecycle. This paper brings together reports from the NISO Plus 2021 conference session “Misinformation and truth: from fake news to retractions to preprints”. We discuss the validation and verification of scientific information at the preprint stage in order to support sound and open science standards, at the publication stage in order to limit the spread of retracted research, and after publication, to fight fake news about health-related research by mining open access content.

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