| Abstract: |
Objective : To determine the extent of media education in pediatric residency programs
Design: 17-item survey designed to assess what pediatric residents are taught about the effects of media (television, movies, popular music, computer games, video games, and the Internet) on children. Survey sent to directors of pediatric residency programs.
Subjects and Setting : 204 pediatric residency programs in the United States/Puerto Rico, out of a possible 209 that were accredited for the 1999-2000 academic year. The remaining 5 programs did not respond. Survey was sent to the directors of the programs, and completed by directors, associate program directors, residency curriculum directors, or chief residents.
I nterventions : n/a
Outcome Measures : General characteristics of residency program (e.g., size, geographic location, director involvement in AAP and in Media Matters initiative (an AAP program about media's effects on children's health)). General characteristics of media curriculum (if any).
Results : 28.4% of the programs offered education on at least one medium, with 20% teaching about just one type, and 2% teaching about all types. Only 6.4% of the programs taught media literacy as an intervention. Most programs did teach residents about health risks that are known to be related to media use (like obesity). However, very few of these programs discussed the media's effect on these behaviors. Only 6 directors had formal training on the Media Matters initiative, but their programs were significantly more likely than the others to have a media curriculum (p < .05).
Conclusions : Only about a quarter of the programs are teaching about the effects of television on children, and most programs are not teaching about the effects of other, newer media. Because of the clear research about media's negative effects on children, a media curriculum should be added to all pediatric residency programs. © Center on Media and Child Health |
