PUBLIC RELATIONS: In Medicine

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd and Copilot A.I.

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Public relations (PR) in medicine is a specialized field that focuses on managing communication between healthcare organizations, medical professionals, and the public. Unlike traditional marketing, which emphasizes selling services, PR in medicine emphasizes trust, credibility, and education. In a sector where lives and well-being are at stake, effective communication is not optional—it is essential.

1. Building Trust and Reputation

Healthcare institutions rely heavily on public trust. Patients must feel confident in the competence and integrity of hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals. PR strategies such as press releases, community outreach, and media engagement help establish credibility. For example, when hospitals share success stories of medical breakthroughs or highlight patient-centered initiatives, they reinforce their reputation as reliable and compassionate providers.

2. Health Education and Awareness

One of the most important functions of PR in medicine is educating the public. Medical jargon can be complex, and PR professionals translate it into accessible language. Campaigns about preventive care, vaccination, or chronic disease management empower communities to make informed health decisions. By bridging the knowledge gap, PR ensures that medical information is not confined to professionals but reaches the wider population in a clear and actionable way.

3. Crisis Communication

Healthcare organizations often face crises—ranging from disease outbreaks to medical errors. In such moments, PR becomes the frontline defense. Transparent communication, timely updates, and empathy are crucial in maintaining public confidence. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and health agencies relied on PR to disseminate accurate information, counter misinformation, and reassure anxious populations. Effective crisis communication can prevent panic and sustain trust even in challenging times.

4. Advocacy and Community Engagement

PR in medicine also involves advocacy for public health policies and community engagement. Hospitals and medical associations often use PR campaigns to support initiatives such as mental health awareness, anti-smoking drives, or nutrition education. By engaging with communities through events, seminars, and social media, healthcare organizations position themselves as partners in public well-being rather than distant institutions.

5. Digital Transformation in Medical PR

The rise of digital media has transformed healthcare PR. Social media platforms, blogs, and online forums allow medical institutions to communicate directly with patients. This immediacy enhances transparency but also requires careful management to avoid misinformation. Digital PR strategies now include online reputation management, patient testimonials, and interactive health campaigns. In this way, PR adapts to modern communication channels while maintaining its core mission of trust and education.

6. Ethical Responsibility

Unlike other industries, PR in medicine carries a profound ethical responsibility. Misleading information can have life-threatening consequences. Therefore, PR professionals in healthcare must prioritize accuracy, sensitivity, and compassion. Their role is not only to protect the image of institutions but also to safeguard public health.

Conclusion

Public relations in medicine is more than a communication tool—it is a bridge between science and society. By fostering trust, educating communities, managing crises, and advocating for health, PR ensures that medical institutions remain credible and compassionate. In an era of rapid medical advancements and global health challenges, the importance of PR in medicine continues to grow, making it an indispensable part of modern healthcare.

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

EDUCATION: Books

SPEAKING: Dr. Marcinko will be speaking and lecturing, signing and opining, teaching and preaching, storming and performing at many locations throughout the USA this year! His tour of witty and serious pontifications may be scheduled on a planned or ad-hoc basis; for public or private meetings and gatherings; formally, informally, or over lunch or dinner. All medical societies, financial advisory firms or Broker-Dealers are encouraged to submit an RFP for speaking engagements: CONTACT: Ann Miller RN MHA at MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com 

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Understanding the Google Scholar Paradox in Research

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By A.I.

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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Classic Definition: Scientific research depends on the referencing and citing of other research.

Modern Circumstance: The Google Scholar Paradox is that research which gets cited most often is whatever shows up in the top results of Google Scholar searches; regardless of its contribution to the field.

Paradox Example: The Google Scholar effect is a phenomenon when some medical and healthcare researchers pick and cite works appearing in the top results on Google Scholar regardless of their contribution to the citing publication.

Paradoxically they automatically assume these works’ credibility and believe that editors, reviewers, and readers expect to see these citations.

Courtesy: Morgan Housel 

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SCHRODINGER’S CAT and Other Thought Experiments

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Thought

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

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Thought experiments have long been a powerful tool in science and philosophy, allowing thinkers to explore complex ideas without the need for immediate empirical testing. Among the most famous is Schrödinger’s Cat, devised in 1935 by physicist Erwin Schrödinger to highlight the strange implications of quantum mechanics. In this scenario, a cat is placed in a sealed box with a radioactive atom, a Geiger counter, and a vial of poison. If the atom decays, the Geiger counter triggers the release of poison, killing the cat. According to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, until the box is opened and observed, the atom exists in a superposition of decayed and undecayed states. Consequently, the cat is simultaneously alive and dead until observation collapses the wavefunction. This paradox illustrates the difficulty of applying quantum principles to macroscopic objects and remains a central discussion point in debates about the nature of reality.

Schrödinger’s Cat is not unique in its ability to provoke deep reflection. Throughout history, scientists and philosophers have used thought experiments to challenge assumptions and clarify theories. For example, Galileo’s falling bodies experiment imagined two objects of different weights tied together and dropped from a tower. By reasoning through the scenario, Galileo demonstrated that heavier objects do not fall faster than lighter ones, contradicting Aristotelian physics and paving the way for Newtonian mechanics.

Another influential thought experiment is Einstein’s elevator, which he used to develop the theory of general relativity. Einstein imagined an observer inside a sealed elevator, unable to see outside. If the elevator were accelerating upward in space, the observer would feel pressed to the floor, just as if gravity were acting on them. This equivalence between acceleration and gravity became the foundation of Einstein’s revolutionary insight that gravity is not a force but the curvature of spacetime.

In thermodynamics, Maxwell’s demon presents a paradox about the second law of entropy. James Clerk Maxwell imagined a tiny demon controlling a door between two chambers of gas. By selectively allowing fast-moving molecules to pass one way and slow-moving molecules the other, the demon could seemingly decrease entropy without expending energy. This thought experiment sparked debates about the nature of information, energy, and the limits of physical laws, influencing modern discussions in statistical mechanics and information theory.

Philosophy also abounds with thought experiments. Descartes’ evil demon questioned whether our perceptions could be manipulated, casting doubt on the certainty of knowledge. More recently, John Searle’s Chinese Room challenged the idea that computers can truly “understand” language, distinguishing between syntax and semantics in artificial intelligence.

In conclusion, Schrödinger’s Cat remains a symbol of quantum strangeness, but it is part of a broader tradition of thought experiments that have shaped human understanding. From Galileo’s tower to Einstein’s elevator, Maxwell’s demon to Searle’s room, these imaginative scenarios allow us to probe the boundaries of knowledge, test the coherence of theories, and confront paradoxes that empirical experiments alone cannot resolve. They remind us that science is not only about observation but also about the creative power of the human mind to envision possibilities beyond immediate reality.

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

EDUCATION: Books

SPEAKING: Dr. Marcinko will be speaking and lecturing, signing and opining, teaching and preaching, storming and performing at many locations throughout the USA this year! His tour of witty and serious pontifications may be scheduled on a planned or ad-hoc basis; for public or private meetings and gatherings; formally, informally, or over lunch or dinner. All medical societies, financial advisory firms or Broker-Dealers are encouraged to submit an RFP for speaking engagements: CONTACT: Ann Miller RN MHA at MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com -OR- http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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