How specialized staff training at a Southeastern VA hospital staff improved Veteran patient engagement with personalized education.
Dana Kear, Client Success Manager
In the dynamic world of healthcare, maintaining robust patient engagement levels is crucial, especially with rising staff turnover rates and continuous technological advancements. At the heart of improved patient interactions lies a key component—staff training. At one VA Medical Center, Get Well collaborated with staff to implement innovative training solutions – the digital “Escape Room” experience was created to significantly elevate patient engagement. Let’s explore the insights from this successful initiative.
Addressing Patient Engagement Challenges
Healthcare facilities often grapple with low patient engagement rates, partly due to frequent staff turnover and the constant need to adapt to new technologies. These challenges necessitate creative and effective training approaches for healthcare staff. By equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to utilize Get Well’s technologies, VA medical centers can foster better patient interactions and personalized care for Veterans.
The Digital “Escape Room” Experience
Recognizing the importance of engaging staff in the training process, Get Well partnered with a VA Medical Center to introduce an innovative training method—a digital “Escape Room” experience. This approach was designed by the Client Success Manager to familiarize employees with the updated GetWell Inpatient hardware and software, empowering them to efficiently assign patient education across various platforms.
How It Worked
The digital “Escape Room” involved interactive scenarios that required staff to complete meaningful tasks using the new technology. This gamified, hands-on approach made learning engaging and memorable, allowing staff to experience Get Well’s technology capabilities firsthand.
Remarkable Outcomes
The results of this creative training initiative were impressive. Within a seven-month period, the Medical Center experienced a 16.8% increase in patient engagement, rising from an initial average of 17.8% to 20.8%. This significant improvement highlights the effectiveness of innovative training methods in enhancing patient interactions.
Figure 1: Percentage of Veteran patients engaged with personalized education from November 2022 through August 2023.
The Importance of Ongoing Education
This success story highlights the critical role of ongoing education in healthcare settings. By investing in staff training and utilizing creative methods to boost engagement, healthcare facilities can achieve remarkable improvements in patient education, leading to enhanced care delivery and outcomes.
Conclusion
In an era where patient engagement is pivotal to healthcare success, investing in innovative staff training solutions is essential. By empowering healthcare staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively use advanced technologies, VA Medical Centers can drive meaningful improvements in Veteran patient interactions and care delivery.
For more information on how Get Well enables Veteran Health initiatives through digital patient engagement, visit our website to discover how we continue to support Veterans, military members and their families by actively engaging in their care.
