Assessment of Television and Video Tape Recordings for Utilization in Continuing Medical Education.

This survey was conducted to assess the usefulness of video tape recording and closed-circuit live television as methods of continuing medical education. Specifically, a group of physicians in Indiana were surveyed as to their use of and attitudes towards programs of the Indiana University School of Medicine which used those methods. Of 3,400 physicians who are staff members at hospitals that have access to those programs, 763 returned questionnaires which were analyzed to provide data on the demographic and professional characteristics of physicians who used those media as of part of their continuing education. It was found that physicians who use video tape or closed-circuit are typically from principal hospitals with fewer than 450 beds, spend more than 10 hours a week at the hospital, and are willing to devote some hospital-based time for education. Some characteristics were found which distinguished physicians who said they changed their behavior after watching video tape, but no distinguishing characteristics were found for physicians who said they changed behavior after using closed-circuit live television. (JK)