For most workplaces, the “new normal” is constantly evolving, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to involve a lot of remote communication in the form of video conferencing. This will be particularly critical for healthcare providers looking to ramp up services such as outpatient treatment, patient education, surgery, and on-demand video. What will be especially important will be offering these services to patients while keeping face-to-face contact to an absolute minimum. A study from the American Hospital Association found that “76% of U.S. hospitals connect with patients and consulting practitioners at a distance through the use of video and other technology.”
It’s common for pre-operative patients to receive in-person seminars as they prepare for their procedure. Educating patients is a crucial component in the process and is a necessity, no matter what social distancing requirements are present. It goes a long way toward instilling confidence in patients about to undergo a procedure or searching for medical care.
The question then becomes: how can a healthcare provider transform this process into a remote one to keep this important step in place while continuing to instill confidence in patients during the time of COVID-19? The answer: through developing on-demand, video seminars. Let’s take a closer look at how tapping into video for your on-demand seminars can help supercharge your medical practice and keep your patients safe.
What does a patient learn at a physical on-demand pre-operative seminar?
First, it may help to define a pre-operative seminar, what happens at one, and why they’re important for patients. An in-person, on-demand, pre-operative seminar occurs before the patient is set to have their procedure. During the seminar, the patient will go through the following information:
- The various steps involved in the process
- What the patient can expect during their stay in the hospital
- What to do at home and how to safely prepare the home for their recovery
- The expectations for the recovery period following the procedure and hospitalization
The objective of this meeting is patient education. Aside from giving the patient a breakdown of what they can expect before, during, and after the procedure, it also helps quell any fears they may have. It’s a time when the patient can get answers to any and all questions. If there is one aspect of the process they’re feeling unsure about, they can follow up with the surgeon for clarification.
As noted above, this type of seminar is much more difficult to pull off when social distancing is encouraged. But there’s no reason for healthcare providers to discontinue these seminars when practical alternatives exist. Video is one of those practical alternatives.
Why video works for on-demand, pre-operative seminars
Simply put, there is no reason the items discussed above at a pre-operative seminar can’t be communicated via an on-demand video. Technological advancements in video production allow healthcare practitioners to connect with patients in the comfort of their own home. The same information can be conveyed and the same questions answered. It’s a win-win all around:
- Surgeons can remain transparent on the process with their patients.
- The patient can be put at ease with an opportunity to address their concerns.
- All parties can practice social distancing. They remain healthy and safe.
Another video works for this purpose is that they allow for flexible scheduling. Because it’s an on-demand service, the patient can arrange to hold the seminar whenever it is most convenient for them. They won’t have to commute anywhere; they’ll be able to view the video in the time it takes to turn on their laptop or computer.
An example of on-demand video seminars can help you succeed
HonorHealth provides spine care with patients encountering back problems. The issue they faced is that they needed a way to educate their patients in a concise, easy to access format that cut down on the need for an in-person consultation. The advantage would be twofold: the clinic itself spends less time on education with one video they can distribute to multiple patients. The patients benefit because viewing the video is more convenient for them than making another in-person appointment.
DigiVid360 was able to work with HonorHealth to develop an educational video that explained their services to patients. The video includes:
- A qualified doctor who could walk the patients through the facility as well as the process of receiving treatment there
- Footage of HonorHealth patients receiving care at the facility
- Categorized chapters that each went into a deeper dive on specific components of back pain
The video speaks directly to patients experiencing back issues. It succinctly lays out what kind of care the patients can expect to receive as well as medical information on the root causes of specific types of back pain. It informs the patient in an easily understood manner.
This type of educational tool is invaluable in the era of social distancing. It enables patients to continue receiving critical information that helps them make informed decisions on what to do with their medical care. It also demonstrates the facility’s unique ability to solve their problem.
How to take the next step in developing your video seminar
It’s clear that video seminars are a fantastic way to communicate with patients while minimizing health risks associated with prolonged physical contact. So what’s the next step to take?
The first step is to understand your audience. Know what patients you’ll be speaking to with your video. Then collect the information you’ll need to present to them — whether that information is on a specific type of procedure or the general services you offer to your clients.
Once you know who you’re targeting and what you want to say to them, it’s time to partner with a service provider who’s well-versed in video production. For that trusted partner, look no further than DigiVid360. We have experience working with multiple clients on developing video seminars that help educate, inform, and improve the overall patient experience.
Interested in developing your own video seminar? For more information, contact us today!
