Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26308077›Full record

ArticlePloS one2015

Health Reporting in Print Media in Lebanon: Evidence, Quality and Role in Informing Policymaking.

Fadi El-Jardali, Lama Bou Karroum, Lamya Bawab, Ola Kdouh, Farah El-Sayed, Hala Rachidi, Malak Makki

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Fadi El-JardaliDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon; Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon; Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon; Research, Advocacy and Public Policy-making Program, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Lama Bou KarroumDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Lamya BawabDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Ola KdouhDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Farah El-SayedDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Hala RachidiDepartment of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Malak MakkiAssafir newspaper, Beirut, Lebanon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMedia plays a vital role in shaping public policies and opinions through disseminating health-related information. This study aims at exploring the role of media in informing health policies in Lebanon, identifying the factors influencing health reporting and investigating the role of evidence in health journalism and the quality of health reporting. It also identifies strategies to enhance the use of evidence in health journalism and improve the quality of health reporting.

methodsMedia analysis was conducted to assess the way media reports on health-related issues and the quality of reporting using a quality assessment tool. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 27 journalists, researchers and policymakers to explore their perception on the role of media in health policymaking and the factors influencing health reporting. In addition, a validation workshop was conducted.

resultsOut of 1,279 health-related news articles identified, 318 articles used certain type of evidence to report health issues 39.8% of which relied on experts' opinions as their source of evidence while only 5.9% referenced peer-reviewed research studies. The quality of health reporting was judged to be low based on a quality assessment tool consisting of a set of ten criteria. Journalists raised concerns about issues impeding them from referring to evidence. Journalists also reported difficulties with the investigative health journalism. Policymakers and researchers viewed media as an important tool for evidence-informed health policies, however, serious concerns were voiced in terms of the current practice and capacities.

conclusionOur study provides a structured reflection on the role of media and the factors that influence health reporting including context-specific strategies that would enhance the quality and promote the use of evidence in health reporting. In the light of the political changes in many Middle Eastern countries, findings from this study can contribute to redefining the role of media in strengthening health systems.

Indexed as

Health PolicyInformation DisseminationMass MediaSerial PublicationsHumansLebanonPolicy Making

Identifiers

PMID26308077
PMCPMC4550456

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.