Televised paediatric consultations: a student evaluation of a multipurpose learning strategy

Since 1984, each student in the sixth-year paediatric rotation in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Witwatersrand has been videotaped while undertaking a comprehensive paediatric primary care consultation. Video replay of the consultation by each individual student was evaluated by the student together with medical and social work tutors. This incorporated psychosocial aspects, communication skills, doctor-mother-child interactions, as well as essential medical content, clinical examination techniques, and management strategies. The student was expected to provide comprehensive health care, viz. dealing with the presenting health problems, identifying any possible hidden agenda, giving due attention to nutrition, immunization, development, optimal use of available records, health surveillance and appropriate education. This teaching programme was introduced in 1984. In 1988, 68 consecutive final-year medical students completed an anonymous Likert-type evaluation form scoring their perceived learning. They affirmed that the use of television in medical education provides a unique multipurpose learning strategy and in particular enhances awareness of self and of patient/family needs. The time, cost and effort invested in this programme are considered justified.