Patient education is a key part of any medical practice or medical business. It takes a keen understanding of medical sciences and healthcare to explain certain topics to patients who often have no background or experience in this realm. As a medical education manager or medcomms professional, finding ways to educate patients and communicate complex medical information can be a large part of your job. There are many ways you can go about educating patients, and each one has different benefits that may work best with certain demographics or types of patients. To inspire you in your work, here are five strategies and methods that will inspire you in your next patient education project.
1. Print Materials
Brochures, pamphlets, and booklets are classic print materials that aid in patient education. Every time you go to the doctor’s office, pharmacy, or any other medical centre, you’ll see these print materials. And why are they so ever-present? Simple: because they work.
They provide concise, accessible information in a tangible format. They use simple language that you don’t need a PhD to understand, which is the biggest key with medical education. Additionally, these materials benefit from featuring visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and pictures. You want your patients and their caregivers to have easy access to all the information they need. You will of course be there to clarify or answer any questions they might have, but if the print material is well-made and informative, they should be quite satisfied.
Examples of instances when print materials are a good idea to offer are for medication instructions (how to take the medication, any side effects patients could expect), disease management guides, and pre- and post-procedure instructions (preparing for surgery, recovery afterward), just to name a few. This tried and true method of patient education is useful for older patients, who like to have a tangible resource.
2. Digital Platforms
Second on the list of patient education methods is another you’ll be familiar with: digital platforms. Websites, apps, and e-learning tools are often utilized in the healthcare industry, and they’re an excellent option since they offer interactive and on-demand education.
Something to consider when developing a digital platform for patient education is that it can be updated frequently. The world of healthcare and medicine is constantly evolving, and because of this, something that is factual or helpful to a patient today might not be relevant tomorrow. Creating a digital platform for patient education means that this tool can be ever-relevant for your patient, helping them navigate changes in treatment or research.
Another must for digital content is the user-friendliness of the platform. If patients are elderly or less familiar with digital resources, you have to make sure it is as easy to use as possible. Further, it’s necessary to find a platform that provides support for patients living with disabilities (such as text-to-speech capabilities and contrast settings for the visually impaired).
Some examples of effective digital platforms are disease-specific websites, symptom-tracking apps (such as an app for tracking a diabetes patient’s daily blood sugar levels), and apps for medication reminders.
3. Video & Multimedia Resources
The third patient education method on our list is video and multimedia resources. Examples of this option include animated videos that explain an illness or how to avoid an illness, patient testimonials (real patients who are sharing their stories to inspire others), instructional videos for medical devices (such as how to use an inhaler or glucometer), and more.
Videos and other forms of multimedia are very accessible, making them a great way to enhance engagement and clarity with patients. For best results, you must keep your videos short and focused to maintain that attention and give patients the best chance at fully grasping what they’re watching.
As with the other options, it is also important to use clear and simple language so that you don’t risk losing anyone during the presentations. For accessibility, it is also necessary to include subtitles.
4. In-Person Workshops and Support Groups
Another couple of classic methods of patient education are in-person workshops and support groups. These will not only create a sense of community among patients, but the interaction with one another and with healthcare professionals will provide a “hands-on” learning experience that should have a more lasting effect than simply reading about their situation.
There are support groups for any number of illnesses, but a very common one is cancer. These can provide emotional support for patients, they can allow individuals to share nutrition tips, and they encourage treatment discussions. There are also caregiver workshops, which will educate individuals on who to look after their loved ones.
Some of the best practices for workshops and support groups are to keep the group sizes manageable (this will allow for proper discussions and personalized advice), to ensure that the facilitators are well-trained and empathetic, and to provide written or digital resources for participants to take home after.
5. Social Media Campaigns
The final patient education method of this list comes in the form of social media, which can be an incredible tool if you use it well. You can make it as simple as sharing myth-busting posts (for example, dispelling common healthcare misconceptions or fears) or creating peer support through the use of hashtags, or a bit more in-depth (but just as manageable), like running awareness month campaigns (like Breast Cancer Awareness Month of Mental Health Month) and organizing Live Q&A sessions online. Or, keep it simple and repost the videos that you might’ve created for your patients!
The name of the game with social media campaigns is raising awareness and driving engagement for important topics. If you do this, you will gain a following and be able to use your social media channels to not only educate patients, but to also point them to additional resources.
For the best shot at success on socials, there are a few tips you should consider. Firstly, be sure to post engaging and shareable content (such as infographics, short videos, or quizzes). Secondly, always use hashtags. These increase your reach by connecting you and patients with others in the same medical field or in the same patient group. Thirdly, be sure to respond to comments and messages, as engaging with your followers and audience will only bolster your positioning in this market. Finally (and most importantly), make sure whatever you post is vetted by HCPs to maintain accuracy. If you do all of this, you will develop a great presence online.
The team at CTC is skilled at patient education projects, with many already under our belt. If you are looking for support on your next patient education initiative, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll even offer you a free quote, which you’ll have back in just two days! And, we’ll plant 10 verified trees on your behalf in an area of Cariboo, B.C. decimated by recent wildfires.
