Effects of a drug overdose in a television drama on knowledge of specific dangers of self poisoning: population based surveys.

The episode (described in detail in accompanying article) depicted a man suffering potentially fatal liver damage after an untreated paracetamol overdose. Although the particular dose (50 tablets) and delay before presentation (2 days) were mentioned, the episode did not specify minimal toxic doses or maximum safe delays. At one week and 32 weeks after this episode was broadcast, we sent questionnaires to members of the BBC Television Opinion Panel. Panel members are recruited by structured sampling to be representative of the adult UK population and are sent weekly questionnaires related to their viewing. At one week after the broadcast, we asked them whether they had viewed the relevant Casualty episode and questions to test their knowledge of the delayed hepatotoxic effects of paracetamol in overdose, maximum safe delays before seeking help, and fatal doses of several drugs commonly used for self poisoning (see table). The test questions were repeated at 32 weeks after the