Publicizing Genetic Discoveries: The Impact of the Media

This study will analyze the process of publicizing new genetic discoveries, and the impact of medical reports on consumers and providers. Under specific aim 1 (SA1), the investigators will conduct individual interviews of scientists and journalists to explore the reasons they publicize genetic discoveries, their views of the impact of their stories, the means scientists use to bring their discoveries to public attention, what information about genetic discoveries they believe is important for the public to know, and the efforts journalists make to assure the quality and prominence of their stories, and the obstacles they encounter. Under specific aim 2, the investigators will develop a checklist for assessing the accuracy, balance, and context (ABC) of stories emanating from discoveries made after this study begins. This checklist will be based on the views of scientists and journalists from SA1, analysis of previously published press releases and stories, and the opinions of consumers (obtained through a focus group) about what is important to them. Using the checklist, the investigators will analyze stories that appeared before and after the study begins and explore the effect of a variety of factors, on ABC. Under specific aim 3, the investigators will prospectively examine the response of consumers and providers to specific discoveries reported in the media. Through questionnaires and brief and in-depth interviews, the investigators will establish how frequently they call a health care facility in response to a specific story, which story it was and what components of the story were salient in their decision to seek more information about the test or therapy that was mentioned in the story, and whether the ABC and prominence of those stories are related to impact on the public. The investigators will explore the characteristics that distinguish those who called a health care facility and those who did not call (a comparison group). Under specific aim 4, the investigators will feed back their findings individually to the scientists and journalists who participated under SA1, and then convene a more diverse panel of both groups to help develop recommendations for improving the coverage of stories dealing with genetic discoveries so that consumers' and providers' responses to such reports can be more informed.