- sj-r.com/top-stories/x177090544/Medical-misdiagnoses-can-have-fatal-consequences
- sj-r.com/top-stories/x301774663/Hope-for-weight-loss-sent-restaurateur-to-Brazil-for-surgery-and-death
- sj-r.com/top-stories/x462614497/Health-insurance-advocates-suspicious-of-insurance-industry-campaign-money
- behealthyspringfield.com/sections/local-news/siu-superstar-doc-on-probation-for-rhode-island-violation
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
“Medical misdiagnosis can have fatal consequences,” published June 26, 2011. “Hope for weight loss sent man to Brazil for surgery — and death,” published Nov. 28, 2011. “Health-insurance advocates suspicious of industry campaign money,” published Sept. 12, 2011. “SIU ‘superstar’ doc on probation for Rhode Island violation,” published July 12, 2011.
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
I am the only reporter covering the health beat in Springfield. Hospitals and doctors are major employers in Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and health care recently surpassed state government as the largest employer. I cover the business side of health care as well as health policy at the state level, new technology, patient safety and scientific research. I have a special interest in low-income populations, so I write a lot about the uninsured and other issues related to access to health care. “Medical misdiagnosis can have fatal consequences” A near-fatal case of diagnostic error is dissected to explain the professional and personal issues that can come into play, and the ramifications that whistle-blowers can face. “Hope for weight loss sent man to Brazil for surgery — and death.” Medical tourism carries bargains and risks for its participants. One local chef who traveled to South American for weight-loss surgery died from complications, while a state government employee uses medical tourism to get complicated dental work done relatively inexpensively. “Health-insurance advocates suspicious of industry campaign money” The health-insurance industry’s big contributions to Illinois politicians involved with insurance policy-making could play dividends as those same lawmakers play key roles in the creation of Illinois’ first health-insurance exchange. “SIU ‘superstar’ doc on probation for Rhode Island violation” Southern Illinois University School of Medicine didn’t clearly inform patients that a new obstetrician-gynecologist came to Illinois after a scandal on the East Coast in which he had sex with one of his patients and faced discipline because of it. This story, for the first time, informs local patients, and the rest of the community, about the doctor’s past.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
“Medical misdiagnosis can have fatal consequences” Patient-care records were used. “Hope for weight loss sent man to Brazil for surgery — and death” I used reports on the growth of medical tourism and the types of medical procedures that are the most popular. “Health-insurance advocates suspicious of industry campaign money” I sifted through campaign-contribution records from the Illinois State Board of Elections and Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “SIU ‘superstar’ doc on probation for Rhode Island violation” I read through physician disciplinary records, available to the public, from the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Explain types of human sources used.
“Medical misdiagnosis can have fatal consequences.” I interviewed the patient at the center of the story, as well as her adult son, who was her main caregiver. I also interviewed hospital officials, officials from Springfield Clinic, consumer advocates and doctors across the country who have studied the issue of diagnostic error. “Hope for weight loss sent man to Brazil for surgery — and death” I interviewed family members of a local man who traveled to Brazil for weight-loss surgery and later died. I also interviewed a local man who goes abroad for dental care, and I talked with doctors, medical-tourism officials and consumer advocates about the pros and cons of medical tourism. “Health-insurance advocates suspicious of industry campaign money” I interviewed lawmakers, health-care activists and people from good-government groups. “SIU ‘superstar’ doc on probation for Rhode Island violation” I interviewed the doctor in question, as well as officials from physician oversight boards, a consumer watchdog from Public Citizen and officials from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Results:
“Medical misdiagnosis can have fatal consequences” Readers of The State Journal-Register, for the first time, were able to read about the real-world stresses and conflicts that can lead to diagnostic errors in their community. Readers also learned how whistle-blowers can be punished professionally and perhaps personally. Dr. Thomas Shanahan, who intervened to spot and correct a diagnostic error, was ostracized, and on Nov. 9, 2011, he committed suicide. The newspaper covered the suicide (bit.ly/shanahandeath), and though he left no suicide note, many friends have told the paper that he endured professional and personal turmoil for his involvement in the Mary Reindl case and his willingness to speak to the paper about the hospital and other doctors caring for Reindl. “Hope for weight loss sent man to Brazil for surgery — and death” Readers were able to learn about how real people from their area were affected positively and negatively by medical tourism. “Health-insurance advocates suspicious of industry campaign money” In Illinois, where politics and campaign-contributions often go hand in hand with favorable legislation, it’s imperative for voters to be informed. This story was an attempt to provide a more complete picture of the legislative process surrounding the creation of Illinois’ first health-insurance exchange. “SIU ‘superstar’ doc on probation for Rhode Island violation” Southern Illinois University School of Medicine chose not to fully inform this doctor’s patients in Springfield IL about his past, so this story performs a public service. The doctor continues to practice in Springfield.
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 corrections have been published or requested for any of the stories.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Reporters who cover the health beat are bombarded by well-funded public-relations pitches from local and national organizations. Try to choose the stories you devote time to based on the way those topics affect your readers’ lives and pocketbooks. And examine how well the regulatory system in your state or area is working to protect and inform the general public.