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Camera-Related Behaviors during Video Recorded Medical Interactions

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Abstract

Video recording provides an objective record of the content of medical interactions. However, there is concern that cameras may be reactive measurement devices that alter what normally transpires during interactions. This study addressed potential reactivity of cameras in medical interactions. Interactions between 45 patients and 14 medical oncologists were video recorded and coded for camera-related behaviors. Eleven of 45 patients performed none of the behaviors. Among the other patients, camera-related behaviors were infrequent and, on average, constituted about 0.1% (one-tenth of one percent) of total interaction time. Behaviors occurred most often in very early stages of interactions, and when physicians were absent from the room. Seven physicians showed camera-related behaviors, comprising less than 0.1% of the time they were in the interaction. Results suggest video recording can provide nonreactive means of studying medical interactions.

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Notes

  1. Given the nature of the coding task, some data preparation was necessary before Kappa could be computed. This was because coders did not simply place discrete behaviors into different categories - the typical framework that lends itself to the use of Kappa - but rather also essentially coded when behaviors did not occur. We divided tapes into 4-min segments and counted the number of times within a segment when: a) Both coders identified the same behavior taking place at the same time (any event taking place within 10 seconds was classified as occurring at the same time; b) both coders agreed a behavior had not taken place within each segment, this would produce six agreements, the number of behaviors which coders were coding; c) coder A identified a behavior but coder B did not; and d) coder B identified a behavior but coder A did not.

  2. Because the interactions varied substantially in length, the quarters also varied in length, from just over four min to almost 28 min.

  3. The denominator is the time the physicians were actually in the room.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by National Cancer Institute Grant RO1 CA75003-01A3 (Terrance L. Albrecht Principal Investigator). Portions of this study were presented at the 2005 meeting of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Phoenix, AZ. The authors are grateful to Rebecca Cline for her helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. Please direct correspondence to Louis A. Penner, Karmanos Cancer Institute, 5th floor Hudson Webber Center, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201; e-mail pennerl@karmanos.org.

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Penner, L.A., Orom, H., Albrecht, T.L. et al. Camera-Related Behaviors during Video Recorded Medical Interactions. J Nonverbal Behav 31, 99–117 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-007-0024-8

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