1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Looking toward the future of U.S. health care" by Rita Rubin.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Feb. 25, 2010
July 8, 2010
Aug. 16, 2010
Oct. 25, 2010
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
"Genetic testing may yield personalized health treatments": Most people probably have never heard of pharmacogenomics, but it could revolutionize how doctors prescribe drugs. Until pharmacogenomic testing becomes more widely used, some patients might not benefit fully from blockbuster drugs such as Plavix.
"Doctors use social media to connect with patients": Social media proponents say that doctors who don't use Twitter or Facebook are in danger of becoming marginalized. But some doctors say they don't have the time to tweet and post, and they worry about privacy and legal issues that could arise from establishing an online presence.
"Innovative health programs counter primary care shortage": How will the U.S. health care system, already short on family practitioners and internists and long on many specialists, be able to meet the need for primary care when millions of previously uninsured Americans gain coverage as a result of the Health Policy legislation? Nurse practitioners and doctor visits via e-mail hold promise, but the reimbursement system isn't set up to pay for these alternative approaches.
"Most doctors are behind the learning curve on genetic tests": Internist Steven Murphy is one of a minority of doctors who use genetic testing to "dig deeper" into his patients' health. But many doctors feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with the rapidly developing field.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required?
How did this affect the work? PubMed and Facebook proved invaluable in writing the stories in my entry.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
I am a storyteller, and I am a listener. I am fascinated by how developments in health care affect patients and providers, and I seek out compelling people to help me tell my stories. As a medical reporter, I often write about complex subjects, but the real people who allow me to enter their lives add clarity.
6. Results (if any).
Two weeks after publication of my cover story and online sidebar about pharmacogenomics, the Food and Drug Administration added a "black box" warning to Plavix's label noting that some patients might not effectively metabolize the drug and, therefore, not receive its full benefit. Here is a link to the FDA's safety communication.
7. 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.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Look for patients and health-care providers who can help you personalize your stories.