Physicians can use media training, public relations to combat medical misinformation

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A recent survey shows that 40% of Americans say they have been exposed to false information involving health care. Several of my health care provider clients have shared that they spend hours each week reeducating patients who’ve followed misleading advice from social media platforms.

It is not only false information that Americans are being exposed to—it’s also misinterpretations of health care information that can cause confusion and result in dangerous decisions that can lead to serious personal and public health concerns.

As primary health care practitioners, you are trusted sources of information; the data show it. Which is even more of a reason why your voice, and expertise, is needed and valued in the press.

What is public relations?

There is a powerful way to use your professional insight to equip patients and consumers with education that will empower them to make the right choices for them, while restoring their faith in real science: public relations, or PR for short.

PR is referred to as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and the public. But how do you nail a PR interview so that you can help build trust in medicine and elevate your expertise within your specialty?

In this article, I’ll share some media training tips, so you can build brand awareness, strategically deliver your key message, and, most importantly, inform the public.

How to nail your interview

Tip No. 1: Preparation is key

This might sound obvious, but as a journalist, you’d be surprised to hear how many people I’ve interviewed who have come to the table so unprepared that they weren’t able to give me solid content. And here’s the thing: Most journalists aren’t going to give you questions beforehand, so that means you have to anticipate what those questions are and be prepared to answer them.

Just as importantly, you need to be prepared to answer questions you hope someone never asks you; a controversy within your field of medicine, for example. Think about what those questions might be and craft answers for them in advance to help you boost your camera confidence.

Tip No. 2: Be sympathetic

Acknowledging concerns, even if they are rooted in misinformation, is an effective way to connect with your audience on a deeper level because it shows that you are sympathetic and understanding to what people might be thinking and why.

But how do you do that without validating the misinformation? Through bridging. This simple tactic not only adds an undertone of understanding to your answer, but it can help you take back control of the interview. For example, if a reporter asks a question about a myth within your specialty, say, “I understand why someone might think that given the recent threads online, but the truth is…” And back up that claim with data. This also elevates your chances of getting your main talking points into the interview.

Tip No. 3: Sell your expertise, not your practice

There’s a credibility factor that comes with doing PR, which is why it’s so important that your interview be consumer-friendly and educational. By empowering the viewer or listener with science-backed information, you are sharing your expertise in a more effective way than saying how great you or your practice is.

Your knowledge is newsworthy

Too often, I’ve seen health care providers hold on to the misconception that success hinges on having a vast following or being published in numerous medical journals.

The truth is, your expertise is inherently valuable and you are worthy of being featured as a medical expert in the media starting today. You just need to identify why your knowledge is newsworthy at this moment in time and have soundbites that are solid and not robotic. That’s how you break through the noise, boost your reach and use your voice to help make a difference in combating medical misinformation.

Jessica Abo is a media trainer, storytelling coach, award-winning journalist, and philanthropist. Abo brings 20-plus years of experience as a television news anchor and reporter to prepare physicians, experts, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, authors, and celebrities for media interviews. Her online media course, Camera Ready, teaches proven methods to nail camera interviews and public speaking engagements.