U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News NIH Office of the Director (OD) http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/ Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) http://odp.od.nih.gov/omar/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 CONTACT: Kelli Marciel, OMAR, marcielk@xxxxxxxxxx, 301-496-4819 News Advisory REPORTERS AND EDITORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR 2006 "MEDICINE IN THE MEDIA" COURSE WHAT: The National Institutes of Health's Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) presents a free annual training opportunity to help develop journalists' ability to evaluate and report on medical research. This year's program features a revamped curriculum that builds on the best of prior years' offerings to create an intensive learning experience with hands-on application. The course examines the challenges and opportunities inherent in communicating the results of medical research to the public. Stressing an evidence-based approach and re-examining intuitive beliefs about medicine, the course will prepare participants for the crucial task of evaluating research findings, selecting stories that hold meaningful messages for the public, and placing them in the appropriate context. 2006 course topics include: Understanding Randomized Clinical Trials, Common Problems in Observational Studies, The Limited Role of Statistics, Dealing with Editors, and The Proper Role of Anecdotes. See the course agenda at http://medmediacourse.nih.gov/html/02_agenda.html. There is no cost for the course, and all meals are provided. Participants are responsible for their own travel; accommodations are subsidized. WHO: We invite application for this year's course by journalists who produce news stories about health or healthcare for newspapers, magazines, or newsletters; television or radio; or on-line media. Applicants should be eager to develop skills and knowledge necessary for good medical science reporting, but need not have specific experience or background in medical journalism. WHEN: The course will be held June 29 - July 1. Applications will be accepted through May 5, 2006. WHERE: The course will be held at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Ground transportation from nearby airports will be provided. HOW: Get complete program information and apply online at http://medmediacourse.nih.gov/. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Send e-mail to medmedia@xxxxxxxxxx, or call Kelli Marciel at (301) 496-4819. The NIH comprises the Office of the Director and 27 Institutes and Centers. The Office of the Director is the central office at NIH and is responsible for setting policy for NIH and for planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all the NIH components. The NIH, the Nation's medical research agency, is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- "The Nation's Medical Research Agency" -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov. ## This NIH News Release is available online at: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2006/od-12.htm. To subscribe (or unsubscribe) from this list, go to http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=nihpress&A=1.
