Simple Digital Solutions, LLC
B12 Medication: Proper Techniques for Storage & Administration
How can we create clear, engaging, and accessible instructional content that empowers patients to confidently administer critical medications on their own, while ensuring their safety and maximizing the effectives of their treatment?
Overview
A client requested help in creating instructional videos for their weight loss clinic. What began as a discussion on one instructional video turned into four instructional videos and future projects in digital onboarding eLearning creation. This page focuses on the videos created, specifically the B12 Medication video.
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How do we effectively communicate complex medical information to patients, ensuring they understand successful medication administration and safety storage techniques?
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By creating informational videos that break down the concepts and processes into simple, step-by-step instructions with clear visuals and real-life examples.
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Patients of Elevation Men’s Clinic. These are mostly middle-aged men and women who are middle-class paying for these services out of pocket. They have access to all modes of technology, but need information in a quick and convenient format.
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Analysis, Content Mapping, Storyboarding, Scripting, Recording, Editing, and Producing
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Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Camtasia
My Process
The client, the owner of Elevation Men’s Clinic, approached me with a need to create instructional videos that would assist her clients in administering and storing their medications, particularly since many patients receive their prescriptions by mail. The goal was to empower patients to manage their treatments at home without the need to visit the clinic for in-person instructions. This collaboration with the client was crucial to ensuring their specific needs were met while providing a solution that enhanced the patient experience.
To begin, I worked closely with the clinic owner to define the goals for each video and establish clear learning outcomes. We grounded our approach in Bloom’s Taxonomy, focusing on the following objectives for the B12 Medication Video:
Demonstrate the proper storage for the B12 medication
Determine how to draw the medication into the syringe
Inject the medication into the injection site
By incorporating Bloom’s Taxonomy, I ensured that the learning outcomes were both measurable and aligned with the patients' ability to demonstrate their learning in a practical setting.
Once the learning objectives were defined, I created a basic instructional video wireframe, outlining the timeline and structure of the video. I applied Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning to ensure that the video remained clear and engaging by balancing visual and auditory elements. To maintain patient focus and attention, the video was kept concise at 5 minutes. The format included an introduction (hook, objectives, and agenda), a core section (timing, storage, drawing the medication, and injecting it), and an outro (summary of key takeaways and a thank-you to the viewer).
Next, I developed the storyboard and script. To guarantee that the video met the client’s expectations and aligned with their vision, we conducted a pre-recording session before finalizing the design. This step was pivotal in ensuring accuracy and aligning the content with the client’s specific instructions. The pre-recordings helped refine the script and streamline the storyboard process, ultimately resulting in a video that met the client’s needs while adhering to instructional best practices.
By working in close partnership with the clinic owner and utilizing instructional design principles, I was able to create a resource that effectively educated patients on administering B12 medication in the comfort of their own homes.
To view the full design plan for the B12 Medication video, click the link below.
Storyboard & Script
To develop the storyboard for the training, I utilized Microsoft PowerPoint and Word, which allowed me to create a visual prototype for client approval before moving into production and recording. This approach followed Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, as I laid out the video scene by scene to ensure an effective balance between visuals and text. By organizing the content in this way, I was able to manage the pacing, ensuring that no section overstayed its welcome and that the video remained engaging without overwhelming the viewer. This layout also minimized cognitive overload by breaking the content into manageable, bite-sized segments, which directly aligned with the Segmenting Principle—a key instructional design principle that suggests learners process information more effectively when it’s presented in smaller, digestible chunks.
For the storyboard and script, I used a split-screen design: one half featured video content, while the other half displayed written, bulleted instructional points. This layout reinforced the Dual Coding Theory, which states that learners can process both visual and verbal information simultaneously for better retention and understanding. Once the storyboard and script were finalized and approved, I created a narrative version of the script, which guided the recording process and ensured the video’s flow aligned with the pre-determined learning outcomes. Images of the script are below. Both the script and storyboard PowerPoint are attached as well.
Production & Editing
During the production phase, I met with the client to record the B12 training video. To ensure the recording process ran smoothly, I prepared narrative scripts in advance, which included scene details, on-screen text, and narration for each segment. This preparation was essential for aligning the recorded content with the planned script and ensuring the client discussed the topics in the correct order. Having a clear script also helped the client stay on track and made the process more efficient. While some scenes required multiple takes due to their complexity, the structured narration helped streamline the recording process and reduce unnecessary delays.
For the actual recording, I used my iPhone 13 along with a microphone and an overhead light to ensure optimal sound and lighting quality. The use of these tools was vital for maintaining consistency in video quality, despite the video being recorded with a mobile device.
After production, I took the raw footage home and edited it using Camtasia, a user-friendly program that allowed me to refine the video’s flow. Thanks to the detailed storyboard, the editing process was relatively straightforward, though I did face challenges when selecting the right background music and deciding on the most effective transitions for each scene. The client requested a professional finish, and to achieve this, I applied the Rule of Thirds, ensuring that the client was always framed appropriately while leaving space to display bulleted text as reinforcement. This approach enhanced both the visual and instructional quality of the video, ensuring clarity and focus.
Once the video was finalized, I uploaded it to YouTube for easy sharing with the client and her patients. This not only allowed for seamless access to the video but also provided an opportunity to track viewer engagement through YouTube’s analytics, which I could then report back to the client to measure the video's impact.
Reflection & Takeaways
Working with a client was an invaluable opportunity to apply my knowledge of instructional design in a real-world setting. This project also led to the creation of my small business, Simple Digital Solutions, LLC, where I assist fellow small business owners with their digital needs. While my business is currently part-time, I truly enjoy working with diverse clients, learning about their companies, and providing tailored solutions that address their unique challenges.
Initially, video production wasn’t at the top of my skill development list as an instructional designer. However, I quickly recognized the growing demand for instructional videos, especially among small business owners seeking to deliver specialized services to their clients. I was excited to take on this project and meet the client’s goal of creating a professional, yet accessible, resource for their patients. This experience deepened my understanding of the importance of thorough preparation before recording, ensuring that all aspects of the video align with the desired learning outcomes.
One key takeaway is the value of narrative scripts and the additional resources provided ahead of time. These tools not only enhanced the recording process but also ensured that the final product was as efficient and polished as possible. Moving forward, I will continue to incorporate narrative scripts and other resources for any new clients requesting instructional videos. I’m excited to expand my offerings and continue growing in this area as I develop further as an instructional designer.