To link to post: http://bit.ly/o3epw
Dr. Laura Jana discusses the need to balance Mommy Bloggers life experiences with trained doctor’s information in health communications.
Some of Laura’s VlogViews:
“The reason why mommy bloggers have risen to such a high status level in the media world is because they really give that human voice and the reality of parenting. They have something good to say. But they’re wielding enormous power now…and they don’t necessarily have to maintain the same credibility that I do as a physician that a journalist does with reporting. You think they would, but look who is talking and where they have gotten there info from.”
“You don’t want to be dispensing direct medical advice when your talking to a million viewers because then you’re not acknowledging that there is important information you need on an individual basis…Anybody giving any sort of health related information, you’ve got to watch and say if they’re giving that information and you think they shouldn’t be, there is a reason why they shouldn’t be.”
“When I’m looking to work with companies, I have very high standards for myself, and what I will do and won’t do and I won’t cross those lines so I don’t do the infomercials and if somebody is expecting direct brand placement, I’m not the right person for that…But then I also say, ‘What can I do for them?’ And the people you are working with at the company or the PR firm for the company better want to know what you have to say, not just handing you a script.”
Tags: Laura Jana, Mommy Bloggers, Pediatrician
I agree that parents need to recognize the type of advice they are getting from parents versus pediatricians. Certain advice (such as how to handle parenting issues, which is what is on the realparentsrealanswers site) is appropriate when given by other parents. Medical advice (which changes often based on research / studies) needs to be viewed in the context that it is best given by experts who have the most up-to-date info at hand and the extensive training to put that info in context for your child.