Introduction
The number of UK homes with access to digital TV is predicted to rise to 76% by the year 2008. 1 The opportunity for utilising this medium to increase availability of NHS information is recognized in the NHS Plan, 2 and the Department of Health plans a series of pilot services 3 delivering health information to the public via the digital TV platform, with the first services due to be launched in the summer of 2001.
A predominant feature of NHS Digital TV services is the unique way in which the pilots are being developed, embracing innovative approaches to quality assurance through a programme delivered by staff at the Centre for Health Information Quality (C‐H‐i‐Q).
This article describes that quality assurance programme, which aims primarily to ensure user confidence in the information broadcast can be maximised.
Background
In the national strategy document ‘Information for Health’, 4 it states, ‘…the Centre for Health Information Quality will be strengthened to enable it to play a stronger role in accrediting patient and public information material …’. Subsequently, C‐H‐i‐Q (Box 1), part of the Help For Health Trust, was commissioned by the NHS Executive to devise and implement a quality assurance programme for all public‐facing NHS Digital TV pilot services. There are three elements to the programme:
Table Box 1 C‐H‐i‐Q (The Centre for Health Information Quality).
• Training and supporting NHS Digital TV staff
• Developing NHS Digital TV standards
• Monitoring progress towards meeting these standards
Training and supporting NHS Digital TV staff
Information for NHS Digital TV needs to be sourced and re‐versioned for the digital TV format. This requires staff to be aware of the most reliable sources of health information, and of the key issues in appraising this information.
To address this, NHS Digital TV staff are receiving training in health information appraisal. The course comprises a foundation module, plus a specialist (format‐specific) module. Additional optional modules are available, and a distance‐learning resource is being developed. These training programmes are delivered, and on‐going support provided by experienced C‐H‐i‐Q accreditation staff.
Developing NHS Digital TV standards
A steering group was brought together to develop and agree:
(a) standards to be implemented during piloting of NHS Digital TV services, and
(b) strategies for resolving issues arising during implementation of these standards.
Membership of the group at present includes a consumer representative, NHS Executive and C‐H‐i‐Q leads, plus a key representative from each of the Health Development Agency, NHS Direct Online, and participating TV companies. The first meeting took place in April, at which the 4‐strand standard (Box 2) was agreed. Staff working on the pilots are supported to work towards achievement of each strand, through the training and on‐going support.
Table Box 2 4‐strand standard for NHS Digital TV services during piloting.
It should be noted that through the NHS Digital TV initiative, the NHS is tapping into new skills and expertise offered by media specialists. While the quality assurance programme described aims to ensure health information quality is the driver for all material broadcast, the ability to attract audiences and to communicate messages clearly and in an entertaining way is viewed as the stronghold of the media companies themselves.
Monitoring progress towards meeting these standards
Evidence of how each digital TV company is working towards meeting each strand of the standard will be obtained regularly throughout the pilot phase. This will include identifying:
1. Training and support. To what extent the training and support mechanisms are being integrated within the digital TV production processes,
2. Specifying the evidence. Which sources of evidence are being used, and how users are sign‐posted to these sources,
3. Maintaining information accuracy. The editorial processes resources are being exposed to: by the content provider; or/and by digital TV staff themselves, and
4. Involving consumers. To what extent consumers are being involved in decisions about service development.
Conclusions
The strategies being employed during piloting of NHS Digital TV services ensure greater attention to the quality of health information is being given than has previously been the case for public broadcast health information. There are already clear standards in place. Relevant staff are being supported by a dedicated team of knowledge managers in health and social care, and receiving training in health information appraisal.
It is possible, if not probable, that NHS Digital TV services will be rolled out nationally following the pilot phase. Standards for these services will continue to evolve, as consumer expectation in the quality of the information available from such services is raised.
The quality assurance programme for the NHS digital television pilots has already generated a great deal of interest from other key NHS information services. A meeting of the lead players of these services is planned to explore opportunities for maximising consumer confidence in NHS information through a joint approach to accreditation.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Mat Jordan, Content Manager of NHS Direct Online for his part in our invaluable brain‐storming sessions, and for reviewing this article.
Tom Hain,
References
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