Posters are a Great Way to Inform and Educate
Posters in the waiting area are a great way to educate and inform patients about health-related services or conditions they may not be aware of.
Many of the posters supplied in the waiting room by INFORM come from public health organisations or patient support groups. Posters can communicate a range of messages of benefit to patients. They can:
- Direct patients to an Adviceline, for example the Asthma Society display posters for their Free Adviceline.
- Create awareness of a campaign to manage health conditions, such as the safefood campaign ‘Worried about your child’s weight?’
- Assist a patient in addressing a health concern – ‘What does your pain feel like?’ supports patients in describing the type of pain they are experiencing to their healthcare professional
- For sensitive topics, it’s often a powerful way to communicate a message, where patients may be less likely to pick up a brochure, letting them know help is available.
Patients Puzzles Engage Patients
Patient Puzzles Pads are supplied to the waiting room, to assist healthcare organisations in engaging and educating patients on specific health topics.
The puzzles can include a health-related questionnaire or quiz, which aims to get patients thinking about a health condition, taking action in relation to a healthier lifestyle, such as stopping smoking or a getting their 5-a-day.
The ultimate objective of a Patient Puzzle is to encourage patients to take action, by either consulting their GP about the condition, or to seek help and advice or a referral to another relevant health service.
Most recently the Irish Cancer Society used the Patient Puzzle format to get patients thinking and taking action on their lung health.