Study Calls For Accurate TV Portrayal Of First Aid For Seizures

Steven — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:06:43 +0000

As much as medical dramas are just television shows, their portrayal of certain emergency situations can leave powerful impressions upon the viewer. For those who have had formal CPR training, how many times have you seen incorrect compression techniques used on tv? Now, a new Canadian study is calling attention to the incorrect management of seizures as portrayed on popular US medical dramas (Grey’s Anatomy, House, MD, Private Practice, ER), and how these depictions can cause the lay person to inappropriately intervene should they be in the presence of someone having a seizure. The researchers found that nearly 46% of the time seizures were handled incorrectly by either holding the person down, trying to stop the involuntary movements, or putting things in the person’s mouth – all these are wrong ways to manage seizures. In nearly all these depictions, first aid was administered by nurses and doctors. The lead author described the findings as a call to action and urged those with epilepsy to “lobby the television industry to adhere to guidelines for first aid management of seizures.” This study will be presented this April at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto. [via Medical News Today]

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Penile Fracture Doesn’t Just Happen On TV

Steven — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:07:22 +0000

After the popular American hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy depicted this condition in its last episode, I’ve received numerous questions as to whether this can, in fact, occur – and the answer is yes, albeit extremely rarely. Because the penis does not actually contain bones it can’t be “fractured” like bones. Rather, the very strong fibrous tissue that envelopes the corpus cavernosum, the part of the penis that engorges with blood during an erection, can rupture due to blunt trauma. This usually causes a great deal of pain, swelling, bruising and loss of erection. Treatment usually requires surgery to repair the tear.

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Study Calls For Accurate TV Portrayal Of First Aid For Seizures

Penile Fracture Doesn’t Just Happen On TV