Media Skills for GPs: The Art of Public Medical Commentary

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Maria Li is joined by Dr Michael Bonning, GP, former Navy doctor, immediate past AMA NSW President, and current Chair of Public Health at the Federal AMA, to discuss the increasingly relevant topic of GPs providing medical commentary in the media.

Dr Bonning explains why engagement with the media is important for general practitioners, addressing the broadening definition of ‘media’ in modern practice. He notes that media exposure is not limited to traditional outlets such as television or newspapers but now commonly includes social media posts, commentary on closed professional groups, podcasts, and even op-eds. Dr Bonning emphasises that any time a GP’s comments reach more than one person, they are, in effect, representing the general practice profession.

The episode covers:

• Why GPs should consider communicating with the media and how this helps to advocate for general practice and public health.
• The importance of delivering clear, accurate, and appropriate messages while understanding and respecting the boundaries of one’s expertise.
• A structured approach to preparing for public commentary: before, during, and after the engagement, including practical advice on signposting key points, managing uncertainty, and finishing interviews effectively.
• Tips for handling challenging or unexpected questions from journalists and the importance of not being forced into accepting the premise of a question.
• The value of situational awareness, both in-person (such as at press conferences) and when using equipment like microphones.
• Dr Bonning also shares practical examples to illustrate his techniques and highlights how these skills can benefit both media engagements and everyday clinical communication.

Links & Resources:

• https://theforge.defence.gov.au/article/six-golden-rules-media-interviews
• https://preventioncentre.org.au/resources/engaging-with-the-media/
• https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/attachments/2018-UNSW-Media-Training-Guide.pdf
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/media-interview-guide

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