TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of a closed-circuit hospital television channel to promote health
T2 - the reach and appeal of RPAtv to patients and visitors.
AU - Orr, Neil
AU - Catsi, George
AU - Guirguis, Nermeen
AU - Balafas, Angela
AU - Rissel, Chris
PY - 2007/11
Y1 - 2007/11
N2 - Closed-circuit television has the potential to promote health in hospitals, as a significant number of patients watch large amounts of television (TV) during their stays. This project sought to investigate the potential of a dedicated hospital TV channel to communicate health messages in an entertaining way by assessing the reach and appeal of a closed-circuit hospital TV channel - RPAtv. A cross-sectional survey of 162 inpatients and visitors at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was conducted. Sixty-four percent of participants were aware of RPAtv, with patients (72%) significantly more likely (P < 0.001) to be aware of RPAtv than visitors (41%). Almost 60% of those who were aware of the channel had viewed it. Of those who had viewed RPAtv, 73.3% rated the programming as "good" or "very good". When asked about programming preferences, 34% suggested that the channel should include health and hospital information. However, 66% said that they would rather watch programming that was entertaining, light-hearted and escapist. The high approval rating of programming by viewers suggests that the channel is improving the experience of patients and visitors during their time in hospital. However, its effectiveness as a vehicle for health promotion could be somewhat limited. Any health education-focused objectives of similar channels need to be realistic about the extent of likely increases in health knowledge.
AB - Closed-circuit television has the potential to promote health in hospitals, as a significant number of patients watch large amounts of television (TV) during their stays. This project sought to investigate the potential of a dedicated hospital TV channel to communicate health messages in an entertaining way by assessing the reach and appeal of a closed-circuit hospital TV channel - RPAtv. A cross-sectional survey of 162 inpatients and visitors at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was conducted. Sixty-four percent of participants were aware of RPAtv, with patients (72%) significantly more likely (P < 0.001) to be aware of RPAtv than visitors (41%). Almost 60% of those who were aware of the channel had viewed it. Of those who had viewed RPAtv, 73.3% rated the programming as "good" or "very good". When asked about programming preferences, 34% suggested that the channel should include health and hospital information. However, 66% said that they would rather watch programming that was entertaining, light-hearted and escapist. The high approval rating of programming by viewers suggests that the channel is improving the experience of patients and visitors during their time in hospital. However, its effectiveness as a vehicle for health promotion could be somewhat limited. Any health education-focused objectives of similar channels need to be realistic about the extent of likely increases in health knowledge.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38449102487&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/AH070527
DO - 10.1071/AH070527
M3 - Article
C2 - 17973610
AN - SCOPUS:38449102487
SN - 0156-5788
VL - 31
SP - 527
EP - 530
JO - Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
JF - Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
IS - 4
ER -