Heart surgery — there’s a video for that
‘‘We’re expected to do more and more but there is a limit and that’s why it’s important we try to be efficient.’’
Dr Madhav Menon
Waikato doctors are turning to the medical equivalent of airline safety videos to help treat growing numbers of heart patients.
Waikato Hospital heart specialist Dr Madhav Menon said patient educational videos could quickly become a key tool in helping staff meet the region’s burgeoning health needs.
And the interventional cardiologist is looking to tap into his other passion – singing and stage performance – to help make it a reality.
‘‘If you look at the last 15 years, the demand on our cardiac services has increased year on year but our department has not grown from a resource point of view,’’ Menon said.
‘‘We’re expected to do more and more but there is a limit and that’s why it’s important we try to be efficient.’’
During 2016/17, Waikato Hospital’s cath lab completed 3640 procedures, up from 3356 in 2014/15.
Adding to the demand on services is the fact medical advances have opened up surgical options for much older patients.
Surgery procedures are being offered to 80-year-olds that wouldn’t have been considered two decades ago.
One patient educational video has been trialled at Waikato Hospital to date, with another four videos planned.
The videos will give simple explanations of different surgery procedures.
One of the key messages in the videos will be the importance of patients taking medication postsurgery.
‘‘At the moment I don’t have time to talk about every drug to patients during my ward round because I’m so busy and so these opportunities are being lost,’’ Menon said.
‘‘Some patients don’t take their pills once they’re discharged and that has a negative long-term impact on their health and also the public health system. But with these videos, patients can learn at their own pace and I think that will improve compliance and people’s understanding of why they need to take their medication.’’
The videos will be shown to patients on iPads.
Charitable trust The Heart Trust has pledged to meet the cost of purchasing the iPads with a fundraising concert at Waikato Hospital’s The Atrium on March 24.
The trust will also help meet the cost of producing future patient educational videos.
Menon, who has performed in Hamilton Operatic Society productions, such as Les Miserables and Mama Mia!, will perform a medley of operatic and pop songs at the concert.
Despite his busy schedule,
Menon is excited to be taking the stage again.
‘‘If you have a passion you will make time for it. At the moment I’m learning a new song on my drive to work.’’
The Heart
Trust co-ordinator
Lucy Willard said the two-hour concert will also help boost the trust’s profile.
Since its inception in 1976, the Heart
Trust has contributed more than $2 million to support cardiac services at
Waikato Hospital.
The trust has also played a key role in helping recruit top heart specialists by paying for the spouses of overseas applicants to travel to New Zealand.
Rowing legend and Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Rob Waddell was named community patron of The Heart Trust in November, 2017.
In 2009, Waddell underwent heart surgery at Waikato Hospital to correct his atrial fibrillation condition.