Provide names of other journalists involved.
Anne Glausser, Reporter/Producer David Molpus, Executive Editor
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Sept 26 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Stroke is a serious, and seriously misunderstood, medical condition. It is the 4th leading cause of death, and can cause serious disability. Families are hit hard, caring for a loved one that has suffered a stroke. This story aims to explain, in a clear and playful manner, what exactly a stroke is and what you can do to avoid having one. It builds an image in the listener’s mind: blood vessels as pipes that can get clogged. With reference to drain snakes and Drano and a doctor that refers to himself as a plumber, the tone is not dire, but instead realistic about the power of a stroke.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Medical texts and recent journal articles.
Explain types of human sources used.
Several local and national stroke experts were interviewed for this piece, though only two made it into the final piece (both neurologists). Also, local residents were asked about their stroke knowledge, for use as a lead-in to the story.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No who has challenged the accuracy of the report and no corrections or clarifications have run.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Stories explaining basic medical conditions can benefit from a creative approach.