Politics in health.
In the past, public discussion of health in the Australian media has almost entirely centred around the cost of health insurance. Hospitals have regarded the media as an unwelcome intrusion and now with changes in the emphasis of their roles in society, they are anxious to obtain good media publicity. Reaching out, rather than closing shop has involved appointing public relations officers and selling the hospital to society. But it is only one way of developing a positive image. The media is vulnerable as ever to a "good story". The prescription is simple . . . a good dose of the facts, dressed up with drama and bottled up as news and carefully handed over to the report of choice.
D001315:Australia; D006761:Hospitals; D011057:Politics; D011641:Public Relations