Health Writer's Handbook-98-1* [Paperback]

Barbara Gastel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1997 | ISBN-10: 0813821134 | ISBN-13: 978-0813821139 | Edition: 1st

For the ever-greater number of people called upon to write about health -- the reporter newly assigned to the health beat, the writer hired by a medical institution, the clinician preparing articles for the public -- this handbook offers the expert guidance long lacking in the field. Gastel marshals her extensive experience as a doctor, writer, and teacher to lead newcomers and professionals hoping to brush up their skills through the basics of preparing, writing, and marketing articles related to health.

The Health Writer's Handbook parallels the writing process, beginning with advice on choosing topics and gathering and evaluating information-from books and periodicals, government, associations, and other institutions, researchers, clinicians, and patients, and online resources. Gastel then moves on to the mechanics of crafting a piece, addressing questions about technique and genres, sensitivity and style, as well as concerns about presenting information on risk, facing ethical issues, and building a career in health writing. Gastel includes guidance on the specifics of writing about such central subjects as heart disease, cancer, infectious disease, and mental health. Both beginning and seasoned health writers will appreciate her listing of information sources from various medical fields.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Barbara Gastel, physician and acclaimed medical journalist, has prepared an expanded, enhanced second edition of Health Writer's Handbook. Fully updated, the latest edition of this trusted handbook has grown by nearly 100 pages, solidifying its reputation as a "practical guide packed with specifics on how to write about health intelligently and with sensitivity" (Nieman Reports). Examples of exemplary health writing now abound with insightful annotated comments. "Medical Reporting for the Electronic Media" (contributed by Tom Linden, M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) addresses health reporting for television, radio, and the Internet. Also new to this edition is coverage of legal matters in the retitled "Ethical and Legal Issues" chapter. Journalistic exercises bring chapters to a close giving the reader opportunities to apply the principles presented. Health Writer's Handbook, Second Edition is a reference guide and textbook all in one, invaluable to experienced health writers looking to improve their writing and to students beginning their study in medical journalism. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

BARBARA GASTEL, MD, has faculty appointments in medical humanities, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology at Texas A&M University, where she coordinates the graduate program in science journalism. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Iowa State Press; 1st edition (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813821134
• ISBN-13: 978-0813821139
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,407,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a MUST for every health writer., July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Health Writer's Handbook-98-1* (Paperback)

Barbara Gastel's Health Writer's Handbook is one of the most useful guides I have ever owned. It is well written and to the point. Although I am a seasoned professional writer, I am relatively new to the health beat. This book saved me hours of investigational research. Thank you Barbara Gastel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well information, February 3, 2001

By 

Frat Çng "Firochromis" (Ankara, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Health Writer's Handbook-98-1* (Paperback)

Although targeted toward the writing professional, Health Writer's Handbook is a good source for the non-writer in this age of one scientific study telling you not to eat fiber and another saying you must eat forty bowls of it. The book is arranged in order of how one would go about researching and writing an article or book in the health field. The first section, "Finding Topics and Information," identifies where to locate information to help you formulate a piece. One particular helpful category is "Tips on Interviewing." Some of the more useful ones include, remember to be prepared before the interview, but do not appear to be a know-it-all on the subject, review notes immediately after an interview and double check with the source on any material on which you may be unclear. E-mail communication is a great way to do this.

One of the best sections of the book is "Evaluating Information" found under Part II, "Preparing the Piece." There are ten key items to evaluate, such as the source, study design, averages, etc. Gastel, also, presents an overview of good writing techniques, which might be rudimentary for someone with experience, but she adds specific examples of health-writing style which would probably not be found in regular style books. The last section has information on career options, professional organizations, and educational opportunities. While these are easily found elsewhere, it is convenient to have them in one source.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, August 28, 2002

By 

mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Health Writer's Handbook-98-1* (Paperback)

Gastel covers all the basics and not-so-basics of health writing. I got this book as an introduction to health writing, but I find that the advice Gastel offers applies to all good writing. She includes a very in-depth chapter about how to find information (research, research, research!). There are also chapters on Preparing the Piece, Exploring Areas and Issues, and Pursuing a Career. All of the chapters are broken down into logical, easy-to-follow sub-headings such as Ethical Issues, Sensitivity and Style, Professional Organizations, Genres of Health Writing, etc.

I think the greatest thing about this book is Gastel's writing style. The writing is fluid and concise without being condescending (sorry to say that the same isn't true of many other "how-to" books on writing). Great cartoons illustrate the text but do not overwhelm or distract. This is, quite simply, a great little book that has provided me with so much valuable information. Bravo!