3.3. Electronic display systems
These are large screens that can be used as information gateways, promoting health improvement messages for patients as they wait for their appointments. The screens can also be used to publicise services and call patients for their consultation.
Benefits
- Flexibility: Practices can choose the message content, and specify the times, the length of each message and sometimes colour schemes.
- Range of messages: Systems often come with a vast selection of messages that are regularly updated, for example healthy eating and smoking cessation advice. New messages can usually be created using simple software such as Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Targeting: Messages can target specific groups, for example new baby clinics. By displaying text in different languages, they could be used to engage a diverse patient population.
- Free up time for reception staff:
- The patient call function can relieve pressure on receptionists, freeing them for other duties.
- Free up time for GPs: Doctors save the time between appointments previously spent phoning reception or going in search of patients. This allows them to read patients’ notes or catch up on paperwork.
Drawbacks
- Accessibility: The system might not be appropriate for groups such as visually impaired patients. You should not rely solely on a screen to call patients for their appointments.
- Patient resistance: Think about whether to include sound. Some patients may feel frustrated being bombarded with lots of health messages.
- Training: Staff may need intensive software training.
- Cost: The initial investment is high. You will also want to think about maintenance costs and annual support.
Resources
There are numerous suppliers of screens but few that mesh with standard GP software.Practices can choose between sophisticated liquid crystal display (LCD)/plasma flat screens and the simpler, more cost-effective light emitting diode (LED) screens.
