Kai Witzel1,2, Michael Weitzendorfer3, Philip Schredl3, Horst J Koch4, Cornelia Kaminski5. 1. Chirurgie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich. kw@micKW.de. 2. Chirurgie, Minimal Invasiv Center, 36088, Hünfeld, Deutschland. kw@micKW.de. 3. Chirurgie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich. 4. Psychiatrie, Heinrich-Braun-Klinikum, Zwickau, Deutschland. 5. Chirurgie, Minimal Invasiv Center, 36088, Hünfeld, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical TV series are very popular. Media research emphasizes that watching TV has an influence on patient's expectations and estimations concerning upcoming surgery. We analyzed these associations in our own patients. We suspected that reality as presented in the media and the actual reality of hospitals are not always conceived as two different worlds. METHODS: Over a 15-month period a standardized questionnaire was used to interview 162 in-house patients who had been admitted for an elective standard operation. They were interviewed 1-2 days prior to surgery and shortly before discharge from hospital. The questions aimed at their social situation and their TV viewing habits with special consideration of medical TV series. RESULTS: The knowledge of medical TV series is highly associated with a realistic assessment of these programs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the knowledge of these programs is correlated with patient's unrealistic estimations of upcoming surgery. CONCLUSION: Medical TV series have a significant influence on surgical in-house patients. Patients with knowledge of many medical TV series believe that the medical setting in these shows is realistic. This can result in false estimations concerning real surgery.
BACKGROUND: Medical TV series are very popular. Media research emphasizes that watching TV has an influence on patient's expectations and estimations concerning upcoming surgery. We analyzed these associations in our own patients. We suspected that reality as presented in the media and the actual reality of hospitals are not always conceived as two different worlds. METHODS: Over a 15-month period a standardized questionnaire was used to interview 162 in-house patients who had been admitted for an elective standard operation. They were interviewed 1-2 days prior to surgery and shortly before discharge from hospital. The questions aimed at their social situation and their TV viewing habits with special consideration of medical TV series. RESULTS: The knowledge of medical TV series is highly associated with a realistic assessment of these programs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the knowledge of these programs is correlated with patient's unrealistic estimations of upcoming surgery. CONCLUSION: Medical TV series have a significant influence on surgical in-house patients. Patients with knowledge of many medical TV series believe that the medical setting in these shows is realistic. This can result in false estimations concerning real surgery.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cultivation; Effects of media; Medical TV shows; Patient’s expectation; Television
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