“Employing the use of multimedia in improving health communication

strategies”

Translational Scholars Presentation Spring 2014       

Project conceived in 2013.

Developed as part of MSU Global’s Translational Scholars Initiative .

Created to enhance the work experience of my internship focused on “communications” in MSU HR.

Background

Translational Scholars is an enhanced student work experience designed to engage students in the development of solutions to real research problems. Through the process of engaging with faculty, staff, peers, and community stakeholders, Translational Scholars will develop Open Educational Resources (OERs) that can be published, repurposed, and shared. The goal of this experience is to look at problems from as many perspectives as possible and produce educational outputs that will: aid in the development of research, provide a service to the community in need, and produce an educational experience that is transformational to the student.

--- MSU Global

What is a Translational Scholar?

“ Creating health care videos from a benefits perspective for the MSU community that originate from MSU Human Resources (HR) and align with MSU’s desire to function as a high-performing organization.”

Project Mission

Project Overview Document.

Survey of Benefits-related staff.

Tracking progress for an assessment of how project developed over time for later review.

Creating a video.

Project Breakdown

Project Overview

Document

Defined the Objectives of the Project

Goals of the Project

Project Deliverables

Project Structure Approach

Project Team

Project Stakeholders

Project Overview Document

To provide alternative methods of consuming instructional content.

To create a database of open information that is readily accessible for employees to use in their benefits-related communication with faculty and staff.

General information not specific to MSU, i.e., thinking about saving for healthcare in retirement, can be made available to other universities and health organizations as “Open Educational Resources (OERS), reusable with the proper attribution.

The series of videos can also provide material for a health and wellness channel (on YouTube), that can be collaborated on in the future by multiple departments across campus, such as Health4U, the University Physician’s Office and others.

To eliminate the language gap that can inhibit international staff, faculty and students from taking advantage of health-related services and benefits because of a lack of understanding.

Begin work on this project that is ever-changing and evolving and invite other university units, such as the University Physician’s Office, etc., to be a part of creating information that can benefit the MSU community.

Project Objectives

Project Objectives cont’d

Create an initial calendar of videos to be created.

Create the initial video for feedback and testing.

Slide presentation, PDF or word transcript can accompany each video.

Project Deliverables

Survey of Benefits-Related

Staff

Survey was sent to 23 staff members in Solutions Center and Total Compensation and Wellness. Response of 14 people (n=14).

Results were used to discover what specific area in benefits could use the creation of multimedia tools.

It was discovered that “retirement” was a topic that could benefit from multimedia.

HR Health Communications Survey

The majority of staff that work on benefits-related customer service have worked an average of 3 -5 years at MSU HR.

Highlights from the Survey

A majority of the staff members feel comfortable answering benefits questions.

Most Effective Communications Tools Ranked in Order:

1. Face-to-face meetings2. Phone calls 3. Emails4. Presentations/orientations 5. Website 6. Brochures

Face-to-Face Meetings

Telephone

#1

Top Three Communication Methods employed by staff in Total Compensation and Wellness and the Solutions Center

#2

Emails

#3

“I find that using emails with links to our web information, often gives individuals the information they are looking for. They often don't know where to look on our website. Most employees approaching retirement still prefer an individual appointment. They see retirement as a large decision and often want confirmation and understanding of the information provided. I ranked Presentations #3, in effectiveness, mainly because I spend so much time of my time with emails, phone calls, and appointments.”

Direct Quote from Survey

Health Communications Project Notes

Image of Health Communications Project Notes

Health Communications Project Video

Video was created from information available on the benefits section of the HR website.

The specific information used was the “Thinking of Retiring from MSU” sheet (3 -7 years). http://www.hr.msu.edu/benefits/retirement/thinkingretirement.htm

Video

http://youtu.be/PiUhIHtVhrg

***Other video programs are available for use in creating videos, e.g., Sparkol, GoAnimate, etc.

s