JSH unveils new healthcare platform
Health literacy has been a problem in the healthcare sector as patients do not know the terminology or phrases by doctors. "Safe patient" aims to educate patients about their surgical procedures through WhatsApp native language.
On June 8, an innovative platform called ‘Safe Patient’, was launched at the Johannesburg Surgical Hospital. The platform is aimed at addressing the critical issue of healthcare literacy.
The event saw the participation of distinguished guest speakers, including Prof. Jay Pillai, Dr Mpho Phalatse, Dr Hlobe Makuluma, Daan Janse van Rensburg, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Pinky Kekana, Dr Pradeep Mistry, Dr Craig Friedrichs, and Prof JJ Tebane.
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The Safe Patient platform aims to bridge the gap in understanding medical terminologies faced by patients during appointments. Particularly in South Africa, patients often struggle to comprehend the language used by doctors. By educating patients about their surgical procedures through WhatsApp in their native language, the app supports patients’ rights and equips doctors with real-time records of engagement and risks.
Doctors encounter various challenges when it comes to educating patients, including time constraints, language barriers, cultural differences, and age-related difficulties. Additionally, they lack a means to record their interactions with patients. Safe Patient seeks to provide an easily accessible digital platform that can be used by healthcare systems, doctors, and patients alike. The app leverages the widely accessible and affordable platform of WhatsApp to engage with patients, even in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.
Dr Mpho Phalatse, former mayor of Johannesburg, emphasised the significance of empowering patients with health literacy, stating, “Depending on what you want to learn, and educate yourself on, you can empower them with health-literacy and impact knowledge on them. It empowers society through healthcare literacy.”
The ultimate objective of Safe Patient is to encourage patients to take charge of their own healthcare, thereby reducing the burden on hospitals and clinics.
A strong patient-doctor relationship, built on principles of duty of care, trust, and recommendation, plays a vital role. The challenges of handwriting in healthcare, which often poses obstacles, and patient literacy are recognised as shared responsibilities.
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Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, emphasised the importance of providing accurate and reliable healthcare information to the public. Equipping individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions is crucial. She also stressed the significance of collaborating with government and NGOs to promote healthcare literacy.
Dr Craig Friedrichs, chief operating officer (COO) of Safe Patient, dispelled the notion that technology is a problem, emphasising its role as an enabler. The app, developed by doctors for patients, ensures that all content is created with patients’ needs in mind.
Noteworthy statistics demonstrate the positive impact of the app, with 78% of users finding it easy to use, 83% reporting its ease of understanding, and 77% feeling empowered in managing their healthcare. However, Friedrichs acknowledged that the app is still a work in progress.
Prof. JJ Tabane highlighted the evident lack of healthcare literacy among patients, underscoring the critical need for platforms like Safe Patient, and that is a significant leap forward in healthcare literacy and empowering patients and fostering better communication between doctors and patients.
It is hoped that the Safe Patient platform will be available to all residents, regardless of which hospital they attend.
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