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John D. Winkler, PhD; David E. Kanouse, PhD; Laurel Brodsley, RN, PhD, MPH; Robert H. Brook, MD, ScD

JAMA. 1986;255(10):1323-1327.

Abstract
The quality of medical journalism has been widely criticized. As part of a larger evaluation study, we analyzed popular press coverage of eight topics selected by the National Institutes of Health for consensus development conferences in 1979 and 1980. Using periodical indexes to identify relevant articles, we analyzed the characteristics of 269 topical articles published in newspapers and magazines in the four years surrounding each conference and examined the role that the conference played in subsequent reporting. Most topics received widespread press interest that culminated around the time of each conference. Consensus findings were widely cited in articles that appeared after the conferences. Articles were mostly factual and balanced, relied on experts, and emphasized major themes covered by the conference. We conclude that the popular press can make an important contribution to the dissemination of new medical information.

(JAMA 1986;255:1323-1327)

Author Affiliations
From The Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (Drs Winkler, Kanouse, Brodsley, and Brook); and the Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles (Dr Brook).

Footnotes
The views expressed in this article are the authors' own and are not necessarily shared by The Rand Corporation or the National Institutes of Health.

Reprint requests to The Rand Corporation, 1700 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90406 (Dr Winkler).

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