Do-it-yourself option
The concerns of producers and distributors are limiting the number and types of videos that are being produced for health care; however, changes in video technology are making it much easier for hospitals to produce their own videos. Indeed, almost any hospital can now have its own television studio. Garry Grasinski, president of Grayson Media, a Chicago-based media production firm specializing in video and computer-based products, refers to the new concept as "desktop video."

Just as personal computers revolutionized the publishing industry, the video industry has been transformed by consumer video equipment. Not only are the cameras becoming easier to operate, but simple editing is now possible throughthe cameras and the VCR. And for a small cost, other useful equipment--previously available only at exorbitant prices for professionals--is now available to improve the quality of home videos. "The number of amateur video producers is increasing. Today, it's hard to mess up a production if all you want to do is record a message or show a simple procedure," says ASHET's Stein.

The capability to produce videos in-house easily and affordably can provide some relief in a time of increasingly tighter hospital training budgets. Budgets for training staff have decreased and will continue to do so. More point and shoot" videos are being used. For example, a day shift in-service can be taped and played again for the evening and night shifts.

The impromptu video can even be saved to show to someone who was absent, or staff members can take the videos home. With video, training need not always be done on company time.

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