Screen communication is no “rocket science”; we have seen screens in hospitals for decades.

However, they often do not go beyond a few operational messages or are used to guide people in the right direction. However, the correct use of screens can also ensure that patients experience less stress, that discussions with doctors, specialists and nursing staff are easier and can even contribute to prevention.

1.Less stress

Patients and visitors sitting in the waiting room always experience stress to a greater or lesser degree. They are always curious about a first conversation or follow-up of results. A screen can show how the practice or department works. How the diagnosis is made, what the treatments might be and what the aftercare might look like. The doctors can give a short interview. This interview is subtitled, so that patients in the waiting room can follow the interview. Ideally, visitors should see their attending physician on the screen, but an animation can also display this information. If hospitals or medical practices allow their patients to arrive a little earlier, they can watch all the videos in a calm way. If the videos are accompanied by a quiet, relaxing music, the viewer’s brain can absorb the information even better.

2.            More efficient conversations

Doctors know all too well that not all the information that is discussed, is fully received by the patient during a conversation. Just because the patient nods yes, does not mean he has understood everything.

But the videos in the waiting room ensure that the information is already stored in the brain. He will even proactively ask questions, so that the doctor will experience the conversation as more efficient. In many conversations, doctors also have to start from scratch and explain everything. They notice that with those patients who have already watched the screens, the conversations go more smoothly.

3.            Prevention

In practices and medical departments, specialists and doctors want nothing more than to work on prevention. By providing on-screen videos with an overview of pathologies or treatments, we see that customers and patients are more likely to refer to these in the consulting room. For example, the patient who goes to the dermatologist for a wart, but sees that the treatment for an age spot is not that invasive at all. Or how to protect themselves properly against the sun and how to detect skin cancer. Some patients who have seen these informative videos will talk to their doctor or specialist about this. Additional examinations provide additional treatments and thus a preventive policy. 

Bruno Hancké

Managing director ThisPlays2