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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the use of satellite communications technology in hospitals for the purpose of staff education. In the United States there were thirty-three hospitals, as identified by the American Hospital Association, who had purchased a satellite down link. Of those thirty-three, twenty-four hospitals utilized their earth stations for staff education. These twenty-four hospitals comprised the study group for this investigation.
A survey instrument was constructed to collect descriptive data concerning the use of the technology, expectations of the users, utilization, results, acceptance, and procedures utilized.
It was discovered that most hospitals in the study population did not follow recommended standards when purchasing their earth station or did not know if the standards had been followed. Also, over 40% of the study population used their down link for other purposes in addition to education. Most of the study population felt that the use of satellite communications technology had met expectations and had been accepted by the viewers. Interestingly, they felt that the use of this technology had only helped moderately in meeting organizational educational goals.
Generally, procedures were not followed and this may have hampered educational effectiveness. It was difficult to determine the effectiveness due to the fact that evaluation were, as a whole, not performed.
It appeared that hospitals had not considered if ther had been any "real" need or benefit in purchasing the equipment. Satellite communications technology for educational purposes had not reach its full potential due to: (1) lack of programming; (2) the absence of a central coordinating agency and (3) non compliance with guidelines by both producers and consumers.
