News

Cognitant Group: 3D avatar-led health education increases patient reported understanding

Published on: 04/11/2021

Cognitant Group: 3D avatar-led health education increases patient reported understanding
Health Tech
Member News

Cognitant applies use of visual, immersive and interactive formats to deliver engaging, personalised information that changes patient behaviour and outcomes. A case study which demonstrates this positive impact is an avatar-led interactive programme for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), created in collaboration with the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust, UK. Patients reported better understanding of their condition (96% of digital users compared to 88% of those trialling the written information); found the content easy to understand (100% of digital vs 88% written); and that the information was easy to find (100% digital vs 87% written).

The information programme was originally conceived to help evaluate how patients understood and wanted to consume health information relating to their diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. For the year-long pilot, the trust’s clinical team worked with Cognitant to create a programme which was both easy-to-understand and accessible.

The information was available in two formats: written information with diagrams and an immersive, interactive animated digital format. The digital version was accessed from the Healthinote platform – a solution for delivering prescribed health information from reliable sources.

Both formats were put to the test by the trust’s patients. It found that patients absorbed information more easily in digital format and found this method easy to use.

Patients reported better understanding of their condition (96% of digital users compared to 88% of those trialling the written information); found the content easy to understand (100% of digital vs 88% written); and that the information was easy to find (100% digital vs 87% written).

The clinical team was led by Dr Emma Vaux, consultant nephrologist and physician at the trust.

She said: “This pilot was incredibly insightful for us as we had the opportunity to really explore how people consume health information and whether they would accept the digital delivery of this information.”

She continued: “Our vision, through the programme, is to improve patient experience, enable them to be well informed, both in their self-care and avoidance of complications, as well as ultimately delaying CKD progression. We are really pleased by the feedback so far. We are excited to continue to demonstrate the benefits of the programme across the wider community and the whole health and care system.”

The programme secured £30,000 funding from the Q Exchange, which is funded by the Health Foundation, NHS England and NHS Improvement. After a successful year’s trial finished in July 2021, the programme continues to be used and work is now underway to translate the content into Nepalese, Urdu, Punjabi and Polish and apply cultural adaptation. Additional subject areas are also being added, with information on acute kidney injury going live in the next few months.

Dr Tim Ringrose, chief executive and co-founder of the Cognitant Group, added: “Our mission is to help people of all ages and abilities to understand more about their health and to be empowered to manage their health effectively. This project is already demonstrating the impact it can have on people and how this technology enables the NHS to provide more support for patients with long-term conditions.”

Discover more about Cognitant:

Cognitant empowers people to take control of their health through deeper understanding of their conditions and treatment. Cognitant applies use of visual, immersive and interactive formats to deliver engaging, personalised information that changes patient behaviour and outcomes. Cognitant is also the power behind Healthinote – www.hotalthinote.com – the go-to source for trusted health information, which already connects over 3,000 practices with over 30 million people in the UK.

We are seeking to collaborate with organisations looking to empower patients with information for better health outcomes, and with clinical systems where integration of our platform Healthinote will enable clinicians to give patients access to trusted and engaging health information.

NEWS​

Related News

HLTH Brought the Energy to Amsterdam. Now It’s Vegas’ Turn.

26 Jun 2025
Next up: HLTH USA, October 19–22 in Las Vegas.

From Abandonment to Belonging: Hands 4Life’s Vision for Generational Healing

26 Jun 2025
Hands 4Life is a nonprofit organization addressing the global aging crisis by empowering communities in economically developing nations—beginning with...

Strengthening Elderly Care Innovation Across Europe: ECHAlliance at the NOTRE Project Meeting in Lille

26 Jun 2025
ECHAlliance participated in the latest partner meeting of the NOTRE Project, hosted in Lille, France by our Hauts-de-France ecosystem led by Eurasanté...

Africa Health Business Co-founder Dr Amit Thakker Honoured with Top Civilian Award

26 Jun 2025
Dr. Amit N. Thakker, Co-founder of our partner Africa Health Business, receives one of the highest civilian awards from the President of Kenya.

Highlights from the Global Health Connector Partners Programme at HLTH Europe 2025

25 Jun 2025
Our Global Health Connector Partners Programme returned to HLTH Europe this June with an energising series of sessions, conversations and connections ...

That’s a Wrap from HIMSS Europe 2025!

24 Jun 2025
From Paris with purpose: Gnomon Informatics SA returned to HIMSS Europe for a third year of bold ideas, smart tech, and stronger-than-ever momentum in...

Become a member

Join ECHAlliance to amplify your organisation’s message, grow your networks, connect with innovators and collaborate globally.
 
First name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Country *
Position *
First name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Country *
Position *