Mass Media and the Healthcare System

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References

Introduction

According to the UAE Department of Health and Preventive Medicine report, health care refers to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses. The public depends on medical professionals coming together in order to deliver modern effective care services. These professionals include public health care practitioners and community health workers, among others (Sathish, 2012, para. 13). Public health care practitioners, in particular, deal with the general preventive and curative care services.

They deal with all forms of acute and chronic physical health issues. Consequently, a certified health practitioner must possess extensive knowledge in many areas, including a thorough understanding of food poisoning (Sathish, 2012, para. 15). In reference to the two articles discussed above, this report aims at analysing how the media portray health care-related topics. Additionally, it points out the challenges that health care systems undergo while working with the media.

Body

A report issued by the UAE Department of Health and Preventive Medicine defines food poisoning as a complication characterised by stomach infections or pain, vomiting, a general body weakness, and fever. The report further shows that food stored at incorrect temperatures is the major cause of poisoning.

This is for the reason that bacteria thrive well and multiply faster in hot and humid temperatures. The two families purchased food that was not preserved at the right temperatures, leading to food poisoning. The infection kills fast, as demonstrated by the two cases.

Sathish (2012) reports that Anthony was admitted to a private clinic in the neighbourhood. However, due to lack of sufficient equipment and expertise of health care professionals, he was admitted to another facility, the Al Qasmiya Hospital, where he died. The death of the siblings in Dubai and the narrow escape by their mother are also instances where the media have negatively publicised the health care system.

The death of five-year old Nathan and subsequent death of his sister in the ICU openly show the negligence of the health care system. Convectional advertising has been likened to the manner in which media news on health care issues work. Messages in various media sources that promote specific desirable behaviours have the potential to persuade the public to change behaviours (Saberi, 2009, para. 7).

It has been shown that negative news about health care issues greatly impact the public. The more the public is influenced by health messages they receive, the more they would also be affected by how the media portrays the roles and conduct of health professionals (Saberi, 2009, p. 6). It makes little sense to think that people would learn something about the causes and effects of food poisoning from the media, but that they would form no opinions about a health professional who is presenting the information in that source (Sathish, 2012).

It is quite evident that the health care system has been negatively handling urgent cases, such as those of food poisoning, but keeps on referring patients to other facilities, yet time is running out, implying that their conditions would be worsening. The medical practitioners lack widespread knowledge to handle advanced medical complications.

This acts as a challenge to health representatives with the media houses concentrating on the details. Sathish, the reporter on the case of the three-year-old boy who died of food poisoning, gets his information from a source close to the family. The level of truth and originality of this information cannot be substantiated. The health care system and the medical practitioners end up being victimised and negatively portrayed (Sathish, 2012).

There have been concerns that some stakeholders in the health care sector aim at influencing media firms with regard to reporting health care matters across the world. In fact, it is evident that some health care personnel adopt some corrupt measures to ensure that media houses do not publicise their professional misconduct. An example reported is tactics used by the tobacco industry since the 1970s to minimise negative reports in the media, but maximise positive ones(Sathish, 2012, para. 12).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this report has shown that the media have critical roles to play in relation to reporting health care news. On the other hand, health care professionals need to know the duties and the required professional ethics of media practitioners. The media are used to reflect practices in the health care sector, and to let the public know various issues that might negatively or positively impact their care outcomes.

In fact, they are a reflection of the larger culture they represent. From a health care system perspective, media need to be viewed like advertising tools since they communicate the positive contributions of the health system in society. From a personal perspective, the mass medias way of portraying health care issues is not fair and balanced.

The media should adopt better approaches to ensure that their reporting is not always aimed at negatively impacting the health care sector. As noted in this report, some reporters are not competent enough to report health issues. In fact, they need to undergo some special forms of training.

References

Saberi, M. (2009). Dubai siblings die of suspected food poisoning. Web.

Sathish, V. M. (2012). Bad shawarma kills three-year-old boy in Sharjah. Web.

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Mass Media and the Healthcare System

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