Logo

Following Primetime’s Lead

Apr 12, 2009  •  Post A Comment

Sometimes a well-wrought primetime medical drama can lead to compelling heath care reports on real-life local newscasts.
Take the award-winning Fox medical drama “House.” In each episode, Dr. Gregory House—as portrayed by Hugh Laurie—solves difficult medical mysteries with a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.
Dr. House, regarded as a maverick medical genius, is an infectious-disease specialist whose theories about patients’ illnesses often are based on subtle or controversial insights.
Fox affiliates across the country are notified in advance of the medical storylines. At many stations, health and medical reporters and producers have springboarded off “House” plot points to bring intriguing and impactful stories to their viewers.
At WTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., medical correspondent Dr. Joette Giovinco has aired several stories on amyloidosis, which can cause organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys to fail because of a secreted protein that kills cells in the organs. The condition, although rare, is frequently mentioned on “House” as a potential diagnosis.
“Our first story profiled Tampa Bay residents Lois and Richard Singer in 2006,” said Dr. Giovinco. “We started the story as Richard was completing treatment and used a clip from the episode to highlight our coverage. No one really understood the condition, and the Singers were so excited to see it on ‘House,’ and finally have it acknowledged. They really want to raise awareness, as most people who have amyloidosis are misdiagnosed.”
WTVT teamed up with its sister station WNYW-TV to interview Mr. Singer’s doctor at New York’s Sloan Kettering Hospital, who is one of the nation’s leading experts on the disease.
“For Richard, he had absolutely no symptoms. He went in for a routine exam, and they found protein in his urine and investigated the cause. His diagnosis was made rapidly. They want other people to have that same advantage,” Dr. Giovinco said. “Our viewers want to know the signs and symptoms. We offer a big variety of stories, affecting everyone from newborns to seniors.
“Whenever you can make something more interesting and understandable, it’s worthwhile. Utilizing these shows is fun and gives viewers a different spin and perspective.”
Bacterial meningitis, Asperger’s syndrome, facial deformities and childhood obesity are some of the subjects dramatized on “House” that have made for compelling television news stories on KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles.
The station aired a report about a Southern California woman, Melanie Benn, whose limbs had to be amputated after a sudden outbreak of bacterial meningitis when she was a college freshman. The communicable disease seems to target students in close living quarters, who share water bottles, utensils and even cigarettes.
“Bacterial meningitis gets into spinal fluid and starts to cut off circulation in the limbs,” said Gerri Shaftel, KTTV’s medical producer. “It can start with a purple rash, and if it’s not recognized immediately it can be devastating in the space of 24 hours.”
Ms. Benn spent three months in intensive care while doctors took drastic measures to save her life. They amputated both of her arms below the elbow and both of her legs. The report showed that while she now has a full life, she is angered that teenagers are still getting infected and losing limbs because many aren’t aware of the meningitis vaccine, which is available in most college health centers and from most family doctors.
Another KTTV story that echoed a theme on “House” profiled a young man with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism-like condition that socially isolates him.
Ben Anderson can hear a song once, sing it and play it, sounding like the artist who did the song. The musically gifted 20-year-old taught himself the entire Beatles catalog, most of Bob Dylan’s songs and lots of early Eric Clapton tunes. Yet he is confused by the way strangers respond to him.
Mr. Anderson often says exactly what he’s thinking, which sometimes gets him in trouble with people. He’s been concerned that strangers feel scared or threatened by him. Mr. Anderson finds small talk confusing and he’s often baffled by subtle social cues, such as facial expressions.
While reading other people is something he will likely struggle with for years to come, the piece showed that, through his music, he has found a way to express his thoughts and feelings and help others relate to him.
“A lot of interesting stories come across my desk,” Ms. Shaftel said. “We often run them on a night where the audience will be most receptive. People watching ‘House’ are interested and want to know more.”

44 Comments

  1. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  2. Ms. Benn is an absolutely beautiful person!

  3. Good post, thanks

  4. All that is on my mind is cigs. I do not want to smoke and if anybody offered a draw here and now, I will decline. I feel I’m in a very uncomfortable mood and have had trouble getting a good nights sleep yet I understand I will have to end up resilient. The e cig may make it easier in the end.

  5. I smoked cigarettes for quite a few years and quitting was extremely difficult. I experimented with every one of the stopping hints however not one thing helped me stop. Then I heard about the e cigarettes. The smokeless cigarette uses a nicotine fluid which is made out of only nicotine. Absolutely no cancerous substances whatsoever. They have honestly made all the difference.

  6. Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.

  7. I come and read constantly. very nice blog

  8. I added Google Reader to your site when I have spare time try to follow.

  9. I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up 🙂

  10. Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out

  11. Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  12. Nice effort really – google found your site for me so lucky to have read such a good post.

  13. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  14. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  15. Where is link?

  16. I really to find more on this subject I have sbuscribe to check. Also, splendid article. I want to read more of the columns on this wonderful website. more power and goodluck

  17. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine. Did you acquired lots of links and I see lots of trackbacks??

  18. I come and read constantly. very nice blog.Thank you.

  19. Thank you for sharing this. We’re always looking for valuable resources to share with clients and my coworkers, and this post is absolutely worth sharing!

  20. Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here 🙂

  21. This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work 🙂

  22. Damn right! !

  23. Fantastic post… I found this via google.

  24. Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It’s people like you that make my day 🙂

  25. I also use wordpress for my website. The best thing is that comments add additional content. By the way, your chosen design suits perfetcly what is site about.

  26. You make blogging look like a walk in the park! I’ve been trying to blog daily but I just cant find writing material.. you’re an inspiration to me and i’m sure many others!

  27. I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success 😛

  28. qcqwcwqcqwc

  29. I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I’ve bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.

  30. Good quality storie, it’s real grand. I did a search on the matter and found a good number of people will consent with your site. Thank’s for you notify. My helpful hints about how to seo outsource. I assume you made various good points in features also.

  31. Hello
    Thanks for sharing this useful info. Keep up the excellent work.

  32. Awesome blog, nice writing 🙂

  33. Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass’ favor.

  34. Awesome information over again! Thanks a lot!

  35. Outstanding story once again. Thanks;)

  36. This is such a fantastic resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing internet websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It’s the old what goes around comes around routine. Regards…

  37. Hello I actually approve of your thoughts very much. I viewed your blog on MSN and I am sure you will receive many visitors.

  38. Credit for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to read this.

  39. I wish I could create as nice blog as yours. You’ve got a lot of readers I wish I could develop as great blog page as yours. You might have lots of followers it makes sence as your content is incredibly excellent.

  40. You blog is amazing. Could you tell me what system are you using?

  41. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  42. Good to be visiting your blog again, it has been weeks for me. Well this is the article that I’ve been waiting for so long. As a roofer I would say this is very informative post and I like your post. Regards, excellent share.
    best
    Vancouver Roofing Contractor

  43. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  44. Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.

Leave a Reply to Link Building Services Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)