Miss Ruth E . Petidleton is a graduate of the Walthani Hospital School of Nursing, and is the Director of Surgeries, Central Supply, and Recovery Room in the New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. A former tnernber of the National AORN Board of Directors, Miss Petidleton is pre- setitly a member of the Editorial Committee of AORN JOURNAL.

Films are an excellent medium for teach- ing. They have been used extensively by nurse educators as a supplement to didactic lectures i n programs for both graduate nurxs and surgical technicians. From time to time we hope to bring you news of films which seem to be particularly applicable to thc specialty of surgical nursing. When pos- sible, we hope t~ review those films which arc: most outstanding. If this is not possible, we shall make every attempt to keep you abreast of the times as to new and worthwhile educational films, where they can be secured, and at what cost.

TODAY’S

FILM FEATURES

Ruth E . Pendleton, R.N.

No film, however, is applicable in all situ- ations-each is intended to help solvc a specific problem. The complexities of today’s hospitals present problems which must be recognized, evaluated and intelligently solved. Many films can contribute to this process, dealing as they do with practically all cate- gories of hospital personnel.

It is the ethical and legal responsibility of the leaders in the profession to make certain that all persons caring for patients, either directly or indirectly, obtain as complete an understanding as possible of the present day trends in medical developments. In planning the audience for a film showing, leaders at the administrative and supervisory levels should not neglect the housekeeping, dietary, laundry and maintenance workers. All em- ployees not directly caring for the patient should be made aware that they too are con- tributing to his total care. Only through awareness and understanding can they in- telligently and safely perform their duties.

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38 AORN Journal

Film programs should be the responsibility of specific person or persons. They cannot be hit or miss. Films must be carefully selected so that when the program has been completed, all personnel concerned will have seen the film, will have gained knowledge from it, and will have been given an under- standing of how to apply this knowledge.

Careful planning starts with the selection of the film through film libraries of manu- facturers and of professional associations. Many film libraries publish lists which arc readily available to interested persons. Films are distributed free of charge or for a very nominal rental fee.

After selection and receipt of the desired film, the person or persons in charge of the program should review it to be familiar with the teaching material, to be aware of the possible applications of material in the hos- pital situation, and to note any material which is not applicable to this particular audience.

It is also important that the leader of the program plan what is to be said before and after presentation. A film cannot stand alone and still be an effective teaching tool. Com- ments, discussion, audience participation and decisions must be included in the total program.

The schedule of showings should be deter- mined by the total number of viewers. Size of each audience would be limited by the number which can be easily handled, by the size of the room in which the film will be shown, and by the number of persons who can be released from their jobs at one time. In most circumstances, a film will have to be shown many times if several or all depart- ments within the hospital wish their em- ployees to witness the showing.

Attendance at programs should be man- datory for all personnel concerned. The supervisors of each department must take the responsibility of getting employees to the

program on time, and of creating interest in the opportunity for personal education. Since these programs are part of inservice educa- tion, they should be scheduled during o n - duty time.

While it is important to keep up with the newest productions, it is sometimes useful to note films that have been around a short while to see how they have stood the test of time. For instance, prizes for distinguished 1963 16-millimeter movies were recently awarded to two films which are of great interest to nurses: “Myocardial Infarction : the Nurse’s Role,” and “The Professional Nurse.” The blue ribbon winners were among others selected from more than 300 films in 36 categories. All were shown at the Sixth Annual American Film Festival at the Rilt- more Hotel, New York City, in June of this year, at which time the awards were made.

In the category of personal and vocational guidance, the “Professional Nurse” film has temporarily been withdrawn from circulation by the Army, pending revision. The other film, however, “Myocardial Infarction : The Nurse’s role,” is available. Arrangements can usually be made to borrow it from the local Heart Association. Otherwise, write the American Heart Association Film Li- brary, 267 West 25th Street, New York, New York 10001.

Recommended for showing at schools of nursing and for inservice hospital programs, the film stresses the importance of good nursing care to a patient recovering from heart attack. It follows a patient from the onset of symptoms through the acute stage of his illness, his convalescence and return home. With doctors and nurses playing their own roles, the film is a warm human docu- ment, stressing the teamwork involved in the patient’s recovery. The picture runs 42 minutes and is in black and white. Certainly its merits have been attested to by the distinguished award it has just received.

AORN Journal