Instituting a video module for patient education can be an effective way to improve patient education. However, there are a few considerations when designing a video. First of all, you have to consider the purpose of the video. It should be able to educate patients more engagingly. In the present study, the purpose of the video was to improve the patient experience by modernizing the Mohs surgery consultation. A narrative video was developed to engage patients and to present information more interactively. The video had a total duration of four and a half minutes.
When communicating health information to patients, using plain language is essential to the patient's understanding and engagement. Instead of jargon and insurance terminology, healthcare providers should start by using common words to simplify communication. Medical or insurance terms must be used and should be defined and explained.
Medical professionals should avoid using medical jargon in their communications, and if they do, they should define the terms in context. For example, "neurologist" refers to a doctor who specializes in problems related to the brain and nervous system. "Mammogram" is a procedure that involves placing plastic plates between the breasts. A doctor performing a mammogram would use a friendly, conversational tone to convey the results.
In addition to making health information accessible, plain language also promotes health literacy, the capacity of an individual to understand and process health information. Using simple, accurate, and grammatically correct speech is a critical part of improving health literacy. People with low health literacy can struggle to understand and act on information that is difficult to understand.
Using narrative video to teach patients about Mohs surgery may enhance patient satisfaction with their surgery. However, patients often do not retain more than half of the information provided by their physicians. Using videos in medical education has been shown to improve patient comprehension and reduce anxiety. However, there have been few studies focusing on the content of these videos. To address this issue, the authors created two different types of informational videos for Mohs surgery: one focused on didactic content, and the other included patient testimonials, animated scenes, and physician interactions. The authors tested both types of videos with existing Mohs surgery patients and found that both kinds of videos improved patient understanding and satisfaction.
In the past decade, Mohs surgery has become more common, removing both common and rare cutaneous malignancies. As a result, patient education materials are increasingly available online. However, the average American adult does not have the necessary reading skills to comprehend complex medical information. Therefore, the American Medical Association recommends a sixth-grade reading level for patient health materials.
EmmiEducate, a new patient education solution from Wolters Kluwer, is designed to help improve patient education and alignment with clinicians. It features over 8,000 health education leaflets in 20 languages and hundreds of videos. The system allows healthcare providers to tailor patient education to different patient groups. EmmiEducate is designed to be accessible at any time, from bedside to remote access.
Patients tend to feel overwhelmed with the amount of information they need to learn about their health. Providing educational materials that do not feel like homework or add to a patient's stress level is a vital part of improving patient engagement. The use of video, in addition to written materials, can help patients retain information better.
EmmiEducate health education videos are easy to use. Patients can log in through their myUCLAhealth account and watch the videos as many times as needed. Patients can even take a quick survey after they manage them.