Background and Context:
In Australia drugs are subsidised through a national scheme - the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
An expert committee, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), advises the government which drugs should be listed on the PBS, based, usually, upon requests from drug companies.
The PBAC, as part of its consideration process, calls for public submissions.
This video prepared by the Advanced Prostate Cancer Support Group, an affiliate group of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), calls for public support for a drug under consideration.
Aim:
To educate people with an interest in prostate cancer about the benefits and limitations of a new drug and encourage them to prepare a public submission
Strategy/Tactics:
The primary audience - men with advanced prostate cancer and their partners - has an average age of around 70 years. For a high proportion of this audience, health literacy and online competence limit comprehension of text and preparation of submissions. An online video was chosen as the appropriate communication medium.
Programme/Policy Process:
The audience was emailed a link to an online video educating both about the drug and the submission process, and encouraging participation.
No video cameras, sound equipment, or advanced video software was used.
The video was made entirely with software that came free with the computer on which it was made.
Outcomes/What was learned:
Measures: 61% of members watched the YouTube video urging participation in public comment on new drug. The PBAC received a total of 70 public submissions on the drug. How many of these were by our members is not known.
Appropriate technology: Almost all new computers come with software to prepare such a video.
Key message: Video presentations need not involve expensive equipment. Keen amateurs can get a message across no cost above existing computer equipment