With this approach, Antonius integrates effective education into the care process

"A Divi says more than a thousand words." Understandable information makes all the difference in healthcare. At the Antonius Hospital in Sneek, digital information is on the rise and fast becoming the new standard. Whereas leaflets formed the basis of patient information for years, the hospital now opts for Divis from Indiveo. The result? Patients are better prepared, healthcare providers experience more peace of mind and conversations in the consultation room are more pleasant and substantive.

Image: © Project Consultation Antonius Hospital Sneek

Increased workload and need for better education

A clear reason for renewal

Lisanne Vossenberg has been working at the Antonius for 18 years. As Advisor Healthcare Logistics, she is committed to optimizing processes within the outpatient clinics in Sneek. When the workload increased and patients wanted to be more actively involved, it was time to organize information more intelligently and efficiently.

Indiveo as a tool for clear and accessible education

The choice fell on Indiveo: digital information modules (Divis) containing short animations that convey medical information in an accessible way. Divis are developed by our storytelling experts, in collaboration with medical specialists and with an eye for the patient's experience. The Divis are clearly structured, written at B1 language level, accessible according to WCAG guidelines and available in multiple languages. They offer patients peace of mind and an overview.

"Divis are clearer, more attractive and easier to interpret than text alone," says Lisanne.

A project-based approach with support

The introduction of Indiveo took place in a planned manner and with a great deal of attention to cooperation. With a clear structure, an involved project group and support from Indiveo, we worked step by step toward a new standard in patient education.

Connecting to existing practices

A so-called starter package of six to eight Divis was put together for each specialty. The contents matched the existing leaflets and the working methods of the polyclinic. Each team was challenged to actively use at least three Divis, while maintaining freedom of choice where necessary.

Clear structure and ownership

A permanent project group with broad representation

A multidisciplinary project group met every eight weeks, consisting of a project leader, Lisanne Vossenberg and two colleagues with expertise in HIX links, an employee of the information center and delegates from the outpatient clinic. From each specialty, one representative from each functional group participated, which ensured broad involvement. The outpatient team manager briefly attended each meeting to monitor progress.

Structured work with help from Indiveo

Indiveo supported where necessary with training, technical links and editing advice. Progress was kept transparent via a central production list.

Information center as a link between content and comprehensibility

An important role was played by the information center. They were responsible for editing, monitoring and publishing the Divis. The basic information and animation in the Divi's were developed by experts at Indiveo and written at B1 language level so that they could be easily understood by almost all patients. 

Content coordination with health care providers

Together with physicians and outpatient clinic staff, the information center looked at each outpatient clinic to see whether additional information was needed and whether adjustments were desirable to best suit their own methods and patient groups. The team managers were not involved in this in terms of content.

Image: © Lisanne Vossenberg, Advisor Care Logistics at Antonius, Sneek

Smart integrations in the care process

The Divis are linked to the Hix EHR system, so health care providers can send them easily. For patients who are less digitally proficient, a print version is always available. Leaflets are thus not excluded, but are replaced or supplemented by a Divi whenever possible. This hybrid approach allows for flexibility in education.

The impact: better informed patients, more effective care

Patients respond positively: more than 90% find the Divis pleasant and clear. Especially in the Radiology department, experiences are praising. The combination of animation, clear language and being able to review information at home reduces stress and increases engagement.

Healthcare providers also notice a difference. Consultations are more efficient, there is more room for in-depth questions and the number of telephone inquiries at the outpatient clinics is decreasing.

"You notice that patients are becoming more self-reliant. They understand what is going to happen and can make their own appointments or discuss choices," says Lisanne.

The future: continuing to improve and expand

Divis are now an established part of the way things work in Antony. Lisanne continues to provide updates and expansion. These include considering the use of QR codes in waiting areas and the deployment of Divis within even more specialties and departments. 

"We are not finished yet, but we have laid a solid foundation. The reactions from patients and colleagues are motivating. You can see it's working, and that's what we're doing it for," says Lisanne. 

Digital explanations in practice: how Antonius Hospital works with Indiveo

Moving to visual Divis requires attention and care. Not everyone is immediately convinced, especially if there are already existing resources. Yet the form of communication turns out to be decisive: visual information sticks better and contributes to more understandable and substantive conversations in the consultation room.

In Sneek, they did not choose black and white. Leaflets are still there, but where they can, they are replaced or supplemented by Divis. That balance works.

What worked well?

• Fixed sprints: every eight weeks a set time to adjust.
• Step by step per poli: start with 2 to 3 Divis and then expand.
• The "Divi unless" principle.: the digital module with animation is standard, but there remains room to deviate if it better suits the patient or subject.
  
• Show caregivers the Divi: image convinces faster than explanation.

Tips for other hospitals

• Establish a project group and give the department responsible for patient information a coordinating role.
• Work with a production list and actively communicate progress.
• Consider making Divis visible via QR codes in waiting rooms or on iPads in the department.