Tag: media portrayal

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Although cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise treatment are recognized evidence-based treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), their use is still considered controversial by some patient groups. This debate has been reflected in the media, where many patients gather health information. The aim of this study was to examine how treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME is described in the newspaper media.

DESIGN: Content analysis of newspaper articles.

SETTING: The digitalized media archive Atekst was used to identify Norwegian newspaper articles where chronic fatigue syndrome/ME was mentioned.

PARTICIPANTS: Norwegian newspaper articles published over a 20-month period, from 1 January 2008 to 31 August 2009.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statements regarding efficiency of various types of treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME and the related source of the treatment advice. Statements were categorized as being either positive or negative towards evidence-based or alternative treatment.

RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two statements regarding treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME were identified among 123 newspaper articles. The most frequent statements were positive statements towards alternative treatment Lightning Process (26.2%), negative statements towards evidence-based treatments (22.1%), and positive statements towards other alternative treatment interventions (22.1%). Only 14.8% of the statements were positive towards evidence-based treatment. Case-subjects were the most frequently cited sources, accounting for 35.2% of the statements, followed by physicians and the Norwegian ME association.

CONCLUSIONS: Statements regarding treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in newspapers are mainly pro-alternative treatment and against evidence-based treatment. The media has great potential to influence individual choices. The unbalanced reporting of treatment options for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in the media is potentially harmful.

 

Source: Knudsen AK, Omenås AN, Harvey SB, Løvvik CM, Lervik LV, Mykletun A. Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles. JRSM Short Rep. 2011 May;2(5):42. doi: 10.1258/shorts.2011.011016. Epub 2011 May 25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3105457/ (Full article)

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome and Australian psychiatry: lessons from the UK experience

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to outline the opportunities and dangers the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) issue presents to Australian psychiatry.

METHOD: The scientific literature of the last 50 years on CFS in adults was reviewed and samples of recent media portrayals of CFS in the UK and Australia were collected. The author has worked in both the UK and Australia managing adult CFS patients in specialist outpatient consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry settings.

RESULTS: Chronic fatigue syndrome has been at the heart of an acrimonious debate in the UK, both within the medical profession and in the wider community. UK psychiatry has been drawn into the debate, at times being the target of strong and potentially damaging criticism, yet UK psychiatry, especially the C-L subspecialty, has played a crucial role in clarifying appropriate research questions and in devising management strategies. The issue has served to enhance and broaden psychiatry’s perceived research and clinical role at the important medicine-psychiatry interface in that country.

CONCLUSIONS: Handled properly, the CFS issue offers Australian psychiatry, especially C-L psychiatry, an opportunity to make a useful contribution to patient care in a clinically difficult and contentious area, while at the same time serving to help broaden psychiatry’s scope in the Australian medical landscape.

 

Source: Couper J. Chronic fatigue syndrome and Australian psychiatry: lessons from the UK experience. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2000 Oct;34(5):762-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11037362

 

Professional and popular views of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the coverage of the chronic fatigue syndrome in the popular and professional press.

DESIGN: Search of all original research papers on the chronic fatigue syndrome published in British journals from 1980 onwards and of professional trade papers, national newspapers, and women’s magazines. Interviews with six medical journalists.

SETTING: British scientific, medical, and popular press.

RESULTS: 37 (49%) articles in research journals did not favour organic causes and 23 (31%) favoured organic causes. By contrast 31 (55%) articles in the medical trade press and 118 (69%) in national newspapers and women’s magazines favoured organic causes.

CONCLUSIONS: Press coverage of chronic fatigue syndrome has amplified and distorted divisions in the research community concerning the chronic fatigue syndrome. Articles in the press concentrate on a simple medical model of illness reinforcing the stigma of psychological illness and dissatisfaction with traditional medical authority.

Comment in:

Chronic fatigue syndrome: prevalence and outcome. [BMJ. 1994]

Patients with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. [BMJ. 1995]

 

Source: MacLean G, Wessely S. Professional and popular views of chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ. 1994 Mar 19;308(6931):776-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2539637/

You can read the full article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2539637/pdf/bmj00432-0054.pdf