Re: [NIFL-HEALTH:2890] Patient feedback with video instructions

From: michelle.black@sickkids.ca
Date: Tue Mar 06 2001 - 16:42:49 EST


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From: michelle.black@sickkids.ca
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Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 16:42:49 -0500
Subject: Re: [NIFL-HEALTH:2890] Patient feedback with video instructions
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Greetings!

I have an example that may not fit exactly with your request, but which I think
is well worth sharing. This past summer I was part of a workshop on smoking
cessation for low-literacy populations. One of the resources being promoted was
a kit called "How Not to Smoke," a resource for women which was developed by a
group in Toronto a few years back. It uses a video and companion "help book."
Both the video and help book are friendly, attactive, very easy to read,
representative of its audience, and very respectful of the viewer/reader.

The way I think the video succeeds is in the way it works with the help book. At
various points in the video, the spokeswoman instructs the viewers to stop the
tape, and go do the chapter in their help book that deals with the issue that
was just talked about in the video. There's even a big static stop sign saying
"stop tape" that appears onscreen for an extended pause, just in case you're
tempted to just keep watching. Each of the chapters is very short, and the
interactive quizzes are extremely easy to get through.

The pauses in the video are well-placed as well, breaking the information into
manageable parts. Moreover, the spokeswoman encourages viewers to take a break
if they need it, as they're going along. Photos of the "characters" in the video
are repeated in the workbook, making an automatic connection between the video
and book for the user. Many of the line drawings and other graphics--all very
relevant, positive and attractive--are also in both the book and video.

I wish I could take credit for being involved in this project! But in the
meantime, it serves as an excellent example of clear communication principles
used for behaviour change. I do admit, however, that I do not know how effective
such a video would be without the accompanying booklet (which again raises the
earlier issue of interactivity).

Hope that helps. If anyone would like to get a copy of this, please let me know
off-list.

Cheers,
Michelle Black

Michelle Black
Plain Language Writer
Health Communication Service
Centre for Health Information and Promotion (CHIP)
The Hospital for Sick Children



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