By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
    September 27, 2023
    First Aid Training Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
    September 25, 2023
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    5 Self-Care Habits to Help You Live an A+ Life
    September 21, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare policy
    How the Left and the Right View the Race to the Bottom
    September 24, 2013
    The Cost of Quality Medical Supplies
    December 2, 2015
    What’s at the End of the Road to Cost Transparency? 5 Fresh Ideas on the Future of Healthcare
    October 12, 2013
    Latest News
    Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits
    September 12, 2023
    Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels
    September 12, 2023
    How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations
    September 6, 2023
    The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals
    September 6, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How Madison Avenue’s Medical TV Ads Fall Short
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > How Madison Avenue’s Medical TV Ads Fall Short
Business

How Madison Avenue’s Medical TV Ads Fall Short

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: 2015/04/13 at 8:00 AM
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

TV remote controlGreetings from Southern California as I visit family in the U.S. Along the way, I’ve spent some time on the bikes in hotel gyms and have had the chance to watch American television.

TV remote controlGreetings from Southern California as I visit family in the U.S. Along the way, I’ve spent some time on the bikes in hotel gyms and have had the chance to watch American television. And you can’t miss the flood of ads for, now, not only prescription medicines but also even for hip and knee replacement medical devices!

The direct-to-consumer train from the big agencies on Madison Avenue in New York is running ever faster these days – and they tell a wonderfully slick, creative, and compelling story about the newest drugs and medical products. The goal, of course, is to have you rush right out to your doctor and ask them to make sure you get that product because “it’s right for you!” My warning is that feeling better with a chronic condition, now including a “chronic cancer,” is not so simple, and I am sure most doctors shake their heads as they see these ads. In this age of personalized medicine, there are few “one size fits all” treatments; and, beyond that, pills, shots, and high-tech medical devices are only part of the story to help you live well with a serious condition. Few ads acknowledge this. The Mad Men don’t have the time on TV to tell a more complete story, and their client just wants them to sell a product.

In the U.S. where medical ads for powerful treatments are widespread now, you the consumer have to be savvier than ever. That’s why you need to have a frank discussion with a doctor you trust. Don’t march into the doctor’s office with the assumption that what you saw on TV is right for you, discuss all your options. And go beyond discussing a product. Talk about a 360-degree view of your life with an ongoing health concern. Talk about diet, exercise, family issues, mental health. The ads never cover that, but it’s all part of your life.

More Read

get a career in medical device sales

What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?

Subscription Management Solutions Are Crucial for Telemedicine
Comfort And Safety: 7 Ways Healthcare Organizations Can Create A Better Environment For Their Patients
4 Points to Remember Before You Start Off Your Next Medical Presentation
Best Practices for Healthcare Call Centers Should Follow in 2023

I am delighted to tell you that we at Patient Power, along with some wonderful partners, have been working hard to provide you with unbiased information on “the whole story” for your illness to fuel your hope for a better, healthier life. Here are some examples I wanted to call out:
Does Mental Health Affect Your Overall Health?
Dealing with the Expense of Treatment
What Is Geriatric Oncology?

I don’t mean to say the ads are wrong. They are are just oversimplifying serious conditions, in my opinion. And, I’ll admit, as someone who believes pharma and the medical product industry should spend less on branded ads and more on supporting independently produced education, it bugs me a bit.

The bottom line is: be a savvy healthcare consumer. Remember, ads are filled with actors, every word has been scrubbed, every smile and movement choreographed, and “your results may vary.” Skepticism is a good thing when you view ads. And if your health is on the line, it is especially important. Yes, there are breakthrough treatments, these days, thank goodness! But which is right for you and when is not a simple decision, even though the ads might have you believe otherwise.

I welcome your comments and hope some of those “Mad Men” will write in. I am sure they are just doing their job and can take me tweaking them a bit.

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Andrew Schorr April 13, 2015
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Cause Marketing: Autism Awareness Month
Next Article social media for healthcare David Harlow IS @Healthblawg

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

Andropause hormonal decline
The Benefits of TRT for Andropause and Hormonal Decline
Wellness September 28, 2023
Cancer Prevention
The Importance of Lipoma Examination in Cancer Prevention
Cancer September 28, 2023
dental implant
Cost Analysis of Dental Implants in Australia
Dental health September 28, 2023
View,Of,Niagara,Falls,In,Autumn
Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
Health September 27, 2023

You Might also Like

medical billing training
Medicare

Navigating Through the Essentials: Medical Billing Training for Beginners

September 12, 2023
healthcare providers
Hospital Administration

How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations

September 6, 2023
optimize healthcare business
News

Top Tips To Optimize Operations In Your Healthcare Office

June 30, 2023
Endocrinology
Hospital Administration

Improving Endocrinology Revenue Recovery is Crucial

June 14, 2023
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US
© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?