Patient education through interactive formats

In addition to patient counseling, patient education is a communicative strategy that is intended to improve the self-control ability — i.e. the health competence — of those affected. Especially in the case of chronic diseases or tumor diseases, they help to manage life independently, alleviate the unfavorable course of the disease and play an active part in therapy. Patient education refers to strategies that impart knowledge and skills specific to health or disease. The most important concepts include structured educational programs, self-management support and health literacy.

Interactive Knowledge Building for Health Literacy

The term “health literacy”, also known as health literacy, encompasses the knowledge, motivation and ability of people to find, understand, assess and apply relevant health information in everyday life. Health literacy plays an important role in staying healthy and overcoming illness. In addition to the patient, relatives are also addressed, who can have a significant influence on a patient’s health literacy. Patients need more health literacy to achieve higher levels of adherence and better outcomes through their treatment through participation.

Modern interactive information platforms help to promote individual health competence. Low-threshold offers can play a central role in the transmission of information, in the training of approaches or in self-management. Four exemplary examples of modern information sources are articles (blog), quizzes, podcasts and Instagram posts. Below you will find more detailed information on the information platforms.

Article (blog)

The aim of knowledge platforms such as gynäkologiewelt.de is the reliable and understandable communication of health-related knowledge. The offer serves to promote the health competence and self-determination of readers. For this purpose, the platform provides important information on health issues, clinical pictures and treatment options based on selected scientific and evidence-based sources.

Quizzes

Health quizzes are knowledge tests that are primarily intended to help you classify your own level of knowledge. In addition, they are attractive opportunities to transfer knowledge in online format. Because participants are usually curious about the results. One example is the blood pressure quiz from gesundheit.de.

Podcasts

Widespread streaming services make it possible to disseminate content in podcast format, i.e. as an audio file. Low entry hurdles thus allow easy scalability of individual mono or dialogues and interviews. An example of this is the podcast: The digital consultation hour from the Hamburger Abendblatt and Asklepios.

Instagram Posts

Patients spend a lot of time on the social network and look at posts from friends, organizations or influencers. With almost no entry barriers, they share experiences, moments and tips for every situation via their accounts. And they are on the move in a network in which those affected are also located. An example of a medical professional Instagram account is @dr.sehouli.

All these sources of information not only serve to impart knowledge, but also to promote motivation and support for those affected. The “degree of penetration” ranges from simply noticing to intensively dealing with the potential consequences of the therapy. Ultimately, dealing with an illness is always a complex matter. It is all the more important that patients are empowered to make self-determined and well-considered decisions.