There’s just something about a doctor, nurse or other employee shakin’ white-coated booty in the hallowed halls of a hospital that is so endearing. And funny. In case you haven’t noticed, the trend of online videos is infectious—and has transcended the understandably cautious marketing policies of medical institutions nationwide.
*The analysts know that more consumers watch online videos about health than they do full-length television shows or movies, or videos about food or celebrities.
*Sixty percent of consumers will interact with a doctor after watching an online video.
The rest of us have always known that medical professionals are people too, just like us, and we should have known they like music and can dance or at least move in the rhythmical sense. While some hospitals are creating videos to promote their latest piece of equipment, others have hit the “record” button to send a message to employees or health care colleagues. Either way, if you’re not working in health care right now, chances are you don’t know about this growing trend.
Take a look at some of my favorite hospital videos, because I’m certain you’ll find them entertaining. I hope they make you laugh and teach you something you didn’t know. I’m certain they’ll show you another aspect of hospital life you have imagined in your wildest dreams—maybe under anesthesia—but never imagined you’d see on screen. Enjoy!
1) The Original Pink Glove Dance
With 13 million+ views and counting, 200 employees at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore. put the gloves on for breast cancer awareness and prevention. It’s the granddaddy of videos in this genre.
http://pinkglovedance.com/original-pink-glove-dance
2) da Vinci Surgical System
Who’s messin’ with whom in this Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Ky. operating room? The da Vinci robot is actually cute, I think you’ll agree.
http://www.methodisthospital.net/getpage.php?name=robot-dance
3) Hospital-acquired infections
Consider this crafty, health-centric adaptation of the Beatles’ 1963 hit:
Before I touch a patient,
I’ll make those microbes scram,
When I remove my gloves,
I’m gonna’ wash my hands…
It’s really funny, but hospital-acquired infections are no laughing matter, responsible for 90,000+ deaths annually. This video was created by Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif. and has merited thousands of looks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFGIrWLwJ10
More videos for you later, promise. What do you think about this trend? Health care marketers say we haven’t seen the last of it. If a national award is created, à la Oscar or Emmy, what should we call it?