DOCTORS & PATIENTS (GPTV)
The waiting room...
Welcome to the waiting room. In the 1970s, innovative programmes were developed as video technology became available in institutional settings. The rise of video technology led to pioneering programmes to utilise this emerging technology in new and efficient ways. The video above was among one of the first created in the 1970s . These programmes were designed to provide valuable insights and education, marking a pivotal moment in using visual media within institutions.
Our programmes are designed to provide an immersive experience, offering valuable insights into the current challenges and complexities that patients encounter when seeking or attending medical appointments in today’s society. They delve into the interactions between patients and doctors, shining a light on the obstacles patients often face when scheduling appointments, such as limited availability or difficulty securing a spot. Furthermore, they highlight the substantial demands and pressures doctors face in delivering services, which can often exceed what is necessary. The programmes allow viewers to observe and delve into the dynamics between patients and doctors, emphasising how miscommunication can create problems in doctor-patient relationships.
Things haven't changed much since then.
In the late 1960s, 40% of medical consultations were conducted through house calls or home visits by doctors. However, this number had decreased to only 1% by the 1980s. As a result, doctors could see more patients in their surgeries, and the overall population had also increased. On the other hand, in the NHS, by 1984, most doctors would have worked from practices in their own homes and were mainly made up of men.
By 1990, Health Secretary Ken Clarke had implemented a new contract to make the terms of healthcare services more specific and create a system that rewarded proactive health maintenance. This contract brought about significant changes, as it mandated that GPs conduct health checks on all new patients, individuals over 75, and patients who had not visited a GP in the past three years.
There have been other notable contract changes, for example in 2004 which became more prescriptive and removed the need to provide 24 hour cover. These all have an impact on the quality of the the doctor patient relationship in General Practice. Contract negotiations continue to be divisive.
Cardinal Broadcast proudly presents the clips and programmes you are about to watch. They were carefully recorded by the Audio Visual Centre at the University of London in 1976. The footage is in black-and-white, capturing the essence and atmosphere of that time.
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