The Health Illiterate Patient Wrongly Judged

Today I witnessed a clinician make assumptions about a patient (and wrongly judge the patient) based on the patient’s appearance which consisted of handsome looks, classy clothes, clean grooming, and nice presentation. What the clinician didn’t know is that underneath the nice appearance actually sat a patient who had comprehension problems and communication limitations; a patient who was “health illiterate.” (Yes, for non healthcare folks reading – that is a real term). The... 

Got Em! FDA’s Communication Heads to Provide PR Industry Social Media Guidance Update

As my colleagues and I gear up for the 2010 PRSA Health Academy conference (April 14-16, 2010 in Chicago at the Hilton Suites Magnificent Mile), I’ve been pretty excited the past few weeks as I pulled together what I felt was a much-needed panel to update the healthcare PR community: a panel of FDA officials who are on the front lines of developing communications guidance and the latest thinking on the use of social media. I’m also excited as I get to work with these officials, and moderate the... 

How the FDA Can Harness Social Media for Improved Patient Access to Treatments & Clinical Trials

Below is a letter several of us wrote and submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration around the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s November 12 & 13, 2009, Advisory Committee Meeting hearing around the use of social media.  Read More →