Using New media for patient teaching #372t

[boarder1025]

In relation to patient education, using new media and lowering hospital readmission rates, how can we combine the first two to equal the third? Can new media be used to facilitate patient education? I think if we utilize the correct platforms, patients would learn. Although the older generation is not using multiple mediums, they are willing to use the basic ones. With baby boomer getting ready to retire we have to find new ways to educate those that aren't comfortable with technology. What are your thoughts?

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

My PRN job uses a network attached to the TV service. You have to watch basic things about falls and calling before you get up before you can watch TV. Every now and then, it will pop up things to learn while someone is trying to watch TV. Most of the time, the pop ups result in the call bell being hit because the patient does not understand how to arrow down and hit select to skip, and they accidentally click on the education instead, and then they get angry when their TV shows get interrupted.

This sort of computerized education attached to the TV service is extremely annoying for older adults. Even the ones who do understand how it works usually prefer to watch TV. I haven't really seen anyone voluntarily use the education features.

[boarder1025]

Trying to empower patients seems to be the biggest problem. Finding something that is easy to use and gives them positive feedback would be good. In acute situations they tend to be singularly focussed. If we could get the population to integrate easy to use platforms, we could educate them on their conditions. Disease and injury prevention is the key idea behind readmissions. Just like the kids get lollipops for a doctors visit, I wonder what the public would consider a reasonable reward? Money is always a motivator. Maybe if they watch certain material and pass a REALLY simple test, they receive a certain monetary value off their bill. Similar to the insurance company requiring health coach visits for customers with HF or COPD.

[Anonymous865]

In relation to patient education, using new media and lowering hospital readmission rates, how can we combine the first two to equal the third? Can new media be used to facilitate patient education? I think if we utilize the correct platforms, patients would learn. Although the older generation is not using multiple mediums, they are willing to use the basic ones. With baby boomer getting ready to retire we have to find new ways to educate those that aren't comfortable with technology. What are your thoughts?

I think you are asking the wrong question. You seem to be assuming that baby boomers are not comfortable with technology.

It is the baby boomer generation that brought you:

- home computers

- VCR

- CD

- DVD

- cell phones

- the internet

The problem I see with all patient education is that they try to use the same patient education material for all patients without considering the patient's education level. It is written for the lowest common denominator - less than 6th grade level.

That means you are providing education at a lower level and with less detail than the majority of patients want. Is it any wonder that most "patient education material" is tossed by the patient as the patient heads to the internet?

If you want to use new media to facilitate patient education, then create media that can provide education at an appropriate level for each individual patient not the least educated patient.