Misinformation about the pandemic is rampant. The internet has become a great source of health misinformation. Misinformation can spread like wildfire. There’s information overload and people are having a difficult time separating fact from fiction. Is it possible to learn to debunk pandemic misinformation? Gary Schwitzer, Publisher at HealthNewsReview.org and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, believes it’s possible to learn to debunk pandemic misinformation. He helps journalists and consumers understand…
Read More...Social Media: What Consumers Need to Know About Online Health Information
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA It’s an exciting time in health care today. The health care landscape is rapidly changing and digital technology has transformed the way we communicate, interact and search for health information. Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, to name a few, are powerful and phenomenal platforms to educate the public, raise awareness of health issues and collaborate and engage in conversations. Social media platforms gives a voice…
Read More...Beyond the Captivating Headlines: How to Make Sense of a Health News Story
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Is the health news story accurate? Did a recent study prove that coffee may lower the risk of stroke? How was it reported? Writing magnetic headlines are required for any writer. After all, headlines capture your attention and at that moment you will decide whether to read the piece or not. According to Copyblogger, “On average, 8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out…
Read More...Social Media: Top 5 Useful Health Tweets
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Twitter is a powerful form of social media, and it is a phenomenal resource for sharing information. Twitter can help improve your health. A significant blog on Mashable, “HOW TO: Use Social Media for Better Health” by Ben Parr, he writes that “Healthy living can be a shared experience.” Social media is about connections and information, while healthy living is about consistency and knowledge. Combined, social media can bring…
Read More...Legacy of NAMC Comes to a Halt, Founding Member Bill Crounse, MD Bids Farewell and AHCJ Open its Doors
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA First, I’d like to say with a very heavy heart how saddened I am by the news of the disbandment of NAMC… The National Association of Medical Communicators (NAMC) closes its doors after more than two decades of inspiring health professionals to accurately communicate health and medical information to the public. NAMC has been spearheading its members in broadcast journalism, but succumbs to the pressures to stay vibrant and…
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