The waiting room: vector for health education? the general practitioner’s point of view

Abstract

BackgroundGeneral practitioners (GPs) play a central role in disseminating information and most health policies are tending to develop this pivotal role of GPs in dissemination of health-related information to the public. The objective of this study was to evaluate use of the waiting room by GPs as a vector for health promotion.ResultsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of GPs using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. A structured grid was used to describe the documents. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed. Sixty GPs participated in the study. They stated that a waiting room had to be pleasant, but agreed that it was a useful vector for providing health information. The GPs stated that they distributed documents designed to improve patient care by encouraging screening, providing health education information and addressing delicate subjects more easily. However, some physicians believed that this information can sometimes make patients more anxious. A large number of documents were often available, covering a variety of topics.ConclusionGeneral practitioners intentionally use their waiting rooms to disseminate a broad range of health-related information, but without developing a clearly defined strategy. It would be interesting to correlate the topics addressed by waiting room documents with prevention practices introduced during the visit.

Effectiveness of health education materials in general practice waiting rooms: a cross-sectional study

“…20 The number of posters and leaflets present was higher than that reported in previous studies, although these studies took place outside of the UK. 16,21,22 Implications for research and practice More than two-fifths of participants in WRs with TV screens stated that they usually watched it. Despite substantial evidence that educational videos in the WR lead to positive outcomes, 13,[23][24][25][26][27] only half of all WRs contained a TV screen.…”

Role of Mass Communication and Health Care In Promoting Glaucoma Awareness: An Observational Study

“…21,22 Patients in the waiting area are more motivated towards better health and are likely to pay more attention towards health related information. 19,[23][24][25] Posters and brochures available in waiting rooms of hospitals although have limitations as a means of health education, but still offer an effective vehicle for imparting health education. 26,27 TV units installed in waiting areas can be an excellent way for providing health related information.…”

Primary care interventions to encourage organ donation registration: A systematic review

“…It is possible therefore that the superior findings for 'active' studies could be due to poor intervention fidelity of passive interventions, rather than poor efficacy of the materials themselves. Passive materials could have been displayed in ways which caused them to be ignored or not noticed by participants [59][60][61]. This could also be explained by the IIFF model, where focused engagement or a participant engaging with the passive intervention materials, does not occur due to their placing in a primary care setting.…”

“…These passive approaches, although cost-effective should be combined with active methods to encourage donation if an increase in donor registrations is desired. Previous investigations into the use of posters and leaflets in primary care has been conducted at length, with a lack of leaflet display fidelity, concern over patient perceptions and lack of patient engagements with leaflets being reported to be key barriers to implementation [59][60][61]. The active methods to promote organ donation registration used in eight of the studies contained in this review have the potential to help combat these barriers.…”