Access to the internet can educate many patients before they enter the operating room with a thorough understanding of their surgical procedure, with online education tools and streamlined protocols. Recent studies determine that patient education has a positive effect on outcomes encouraging patients to actively participate in their recovery.1 Patient education tools can help set realistic expectations before and after surgery, which can positively impact surgical outcomes.
Understanding Patient Education
Patient education involves providing comprehensive information about medical conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative care. It’s about empowering patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and actively participate in their healthcare journey. Patients who engaged with educationally-driven tools were 11% more knowledgeable about the overall procedure requiring 18% less sedation medication, and showed a 14% decrease in procedural times.2
The Psychological Benefits
Knowing what to expect during and after surgery can alleviate fear and help individuals and their families as they mentally prepare for the procedure. This mental readiness can translate into smoother surgical experiences and significantly impact recovery.
Building Trust and Loyalty
A robust patient education strategy sets healthcare providers apart in a competitive market. Effective educational communication can help patients feel empowered and build trust with healthcare providers who prioritize information and communication.
The Educational Advantage
Patient education offers a powerful way to elevate your practice's digital marketing strategy. By hosting educational content on your website, sharing it across social media, and delivering it through email or text campaigns, you can provide patients with valuable information when they need it most. High-quality videos, FAQs, and blogs can demystify surgical procedures, making patients feel more at ease and confident in their recovery. Education not only deepens health knowledge and informs better lifestyle choices but also enhances skills and fosters self-advocacy.
SoClients is a boutique digital content marketing and social media strategy consulting firm designed exclusively for healthcare professionals. We help physicians tell their stories so they can help more patients.
Holly Breen Olds has served the healthcare industry with over 20 years of expertise in healthcare marketing for physicians, hospitals, and the medical device sector across the US.
