Tulsa, Okla.-based Hillcrest Hospital published a video Aug. 25 to show viewers the difficult hospital journey an unvaccinated COVID-19 patient goes through, according to an Aug. 26 KHRJ 2 News report.
Five takeaways:
- The 2-minute and 40-second video is shown from the point of view of the patient from when they get their positive COVID-19 test result to the patient being critically ill in the hospital for more than 30 days.
- The video switches to the point of view of the clinician caring for the unvaccinated patient. The patient's wife ends up being hospitalized as well. The video ends with information on long-term COVID-19 effects and asking viewers to get vaccinated.
- As of Aug. 25, there have been more than 39,000 new COVID-19 cases in August in Oklahoma, the state health department reported. Just 5 percent of these cases have come from vaccinated individuals. The report also stated that 93 percent of COVID-19 hospital admissions in the last 30 days have been unvaccinated patients.
- Several other hospitals and health systems have taken a similar approach to vaccine campaigns. Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth asked people who expressed regret about not getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to share their stories, and the testimonials were shared on YouTube.
- Dolores Albarracín, PhD, a professor who studies health-related behaviors at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, said the trick to this approach is to use patient testimonials that come across as sincere rather than preachy. She also said they're particularly effective when the advocate and person who is receiving the message share similar demographics.
To watch the video, click here.