Workshop 3 - “On-air medical clinics” - Al Ameera Ballroom 3
Tuesday, 17 May 2011 09:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Is the free advice offered on-air worth the price of your health?
Along with the rising tide of religious opinions in some of the broadcast media, a new flood of medical opinions is also being created by physicians. These ‘anonymous’ medical professionals prescribe medication or treatment to patients on-air after a simple phone call that would typically not last more than a few minutes. This ‘service’ has now even been extended to the field of herbal medicine.
Although these ‘so-called’ outreach services are offered as part of other programmes by the international satellite media, some incidents have forced medical associations in Arab countries to prosecute these channels for offering medical advice that they claim poses a serious threat to people's health.
This session explores the growing phenomenon and raises some questions about the philosophy and ethics of on-air medical services, and the responsibility of the media to educate viewers. It also examines whether the trend is part of a marketing strategy to increase viewership without taking into account the consequences for their health or the dangers of false information?
Topics:
- Do these programmes support the objectives of public education?
- What are the criteria and parameters to be taken into account prior to the broadcast of such programs?
- Can the on-air diagnosis of diseases be regarded as definitive? Or should the provision of diagnoses be restricted to the medical practitioner who uses the traditional approach of physically examining the patient and analysing test results, X-rays and relevant medical history in each case?
Moderator:
Ali Singel
Presenter
“Vitamin” television program, Dubai TV Channe
Speakers:
Hamid Abdulraoof Saleh
Associate Professor
Faculty of medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ameen Al Amiri
Assistant undersecretary for Medical Practice and Licensee
UAE Ministry of Health
Saqer AL Mualla
Deputy director
Al Qasemi Hospital, Sharjah
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