OBJECTIVE: To determine how soap operas portray, and possibly misrepresent, the likelihood of recovery for patients in coma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nine soap operas in the United States reviewed between 1 January 1995 and 15 May 2005. SUBJECTS: 64 characters who experienced a period of unconsciousness lasting at least 24 hours. Their final status at the end of the follow-up period was compared with pooled data from a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Comas lasted a median of 13 days (interquartile range 7-25 days). Fifty seven (89%) patients recovered fully, five (8%) died, and two (3%) remained in a vegetative state. Mortality for non-traumatic and traumatic coma was significantly lower than would be predicted from the meta-analysis data (non-traumatic 4% v 53%; traumatic 6% v 67%; Fisher's exact test both P < 0.001). On the day that patients regained consciousness, most (49/57; 86%) had no evidence of limited function, cognitive deficit, or residual disability needing rehabilitation. Compared with meta-analysis data, patients in this sample had a much better than expected chance of returning to normal function (non-traumatic 91% v 1%; traumatic 89% v 7%; both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The portrayal of coma in soap operas is overly optimistic. Although these programmes are presented as fiction, they may contribute to unrealistic expectations of recovery.
OBJECTIVE: To determine how soap operas portray, and possibly misrepresent, the likelihood of recovery for patients in coma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nine soap operas in the United States reviewed between 1 January 1995 and 15 May 2005. SUBJECTS: 64 characters who experienced a period of unconsciousness lasting at least 24 hours. Their final status at the end of the follow-up period was compared with pooled data from a meta-analysis. RESULTS:Comas lasted a median of 13 days (interquartile range 7-25 days). Fifty seven (89%) patients recovered fully, five (8%) died, and two (3%) remained in a vegetative state. Mortality for non-traumatic and traumatic coma was significantly lower than would be predicted from the meta-analysis data (non-traumatic 4% v 53%; traumatic 6% v 67%; Fisher's exact test both P < 0.001). On the day that patients regained consciousness, most (49/57; 86%) had no evidence of limited function, cognitive deficit, or residual disability needing rehabilitation. Compared with meta-analysis data, patients in this sample had a much better than expected chance of returning to normal function (non-traumatic 91% v 1%; traumatic 89% v 7%; both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The portrayal of coma in soap operas is overly optimistic. Although these programmes are presented as fiction, they may contribute to unrealistic expectations of recovery.
Authors: Marci K Campbell; Elena Carbone; Lauren Honess-Morreale; Jennifer Heisler-Mackinnon; Seleshi Demissie; David Farrell Journal: J Nutr Educ Behav Date: 2004 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.045
Authors: Brian A Primack; Traci Roberts; Michael J Fine; Francesca R Dillman Carpentier; Kristen R Rice; Amber E Barnato Journal: J Emerg Med Date: 2012-07-04 Impact factor: 1.484