From pandemic pivot to everyday engagement
How Mentimeter transformed healthcare training at University Hospitals
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, University Hospitals Health System started using Mentimeter as a quick fix to ensure healthcare workers were still able to gain access to critical training. Five years later, engagement has only increased since adopting the software, says Jodi Guzman, Nursing Professional Development Specialist.
University Hospitals is an integrated network of 21 hospitals based in Northern Ohio, and Jodi’s team is responsible for ongoing and continuing education for its caregivers. That can encompass everything from new nurses joining the fold, to experienced nursing support staff looking to keep their professional development up-to-date.
Rapid shift to virtual:
In 2020, UH Health System needed to transition essential training sessions online. They sought a tool that would keep new and existing staff engaged, despite social distancing.
Maintaining engagement & participation:
Traditional webinars often left educators speaking into a void. With limited face-to-face contact, they needed a way to spark genuine interaction.
Ensuring anonymity & comfort:
Healthcare topics can be sensitive, and creating a safe space for learners to share questions or concerns was a top priority.
Jodi points out there are educators at the system level, responsible for an overall view, as well as clinical educators, who provide just-in-time education to the staff right on the hospital floors. This has resulted in some unique usages of the software, such as QR-code-enabled Mentimeter surveys and quizzes posted directly on nursing units. In these instances, caregivers can access short, focused training, like telemetry heart rhythm strip quizzes, without leaving patient-care areas.
Dynamic presentations, quizzes, and surveys:
Educators use Mentimeter both in-person and online, incorporating polls, word clouds, and quizzes to check comprehension and keep sessions interactive. “Friendly competition” quizzes (complete with leaderboard and emojis) help reinforce key knowledge while giving participants a fun break from more serious content.
Just-in-time education on the hospital floor:
Clinical educators create QR-code-enabled Mentimeter surveys and quizzes, posted directly on nursing units. Staff can access short, focused training, like telemetry heart rhythm strip quizzes, without leaving patient-care areas. This “just-in-time” approach makes learning more efficient and immediate.
Anonymous pulse checks and Open Ended questions:
In sessions for newly licensed nurses, Mentimeter’s open-ended question feature allows participants to voice concerns anonymously, encouraging them to be candid about challenges they’re facing. Seeing others’ answers projected on-screen helps learners realize they aren’t alone, creating a sense of community and sparking deeper group discussions.
Organization-wide adoption:
Initially launched by the nursing department, Mentimeter quickly caught on throughout the organization. More than 130 UH Health System users now host interactive webinars, plan team-building events, and collect feedback with ease.
Mentimeter has proved invaluable for getting healthcare professionals to open up in situations they might have remained mum in previously. “Being in healthcare, we’re in a very sensitive environment,” Jodi says, “And so having anonymity is important.” In sessions for newly licensed nurses, Mentimeter’s open-ended question feature allows participants to voice concerns anonymously, encouraging them to be candid about challenges they’re facing.
“We do what’s called a pulse check at the beginning of every class, where we check in with them to ask how it’s going,” Jodi explains. “If we were to just stand up in front of that group and ask those questions, typically it’s crickets,” she says. However, since using Mentimeter, attendees have been considerably more open to voicing their thoughts.
Being in healthcare, we’re in a very sensitive environment, so having anonymity is important.
Increased engagement & knowledge retention:
Educators report a noticeable shift: what used to be silent Q&A sessions are now lively discussions. The anonymity option encourages honest feedback, allowing training teams to address real concerns in real time.
Data-driven improvements:
Session evaluations and knowledge checks collected via Mentimeter guide the education team in updating and refining content, right down to how questions are asked or which topics need revisiting.
Empowered educators & learners:
From onboarding new nurses to large-scale nursing week celebrations, Mentimeter has become a staple tool that fosters an inclusive, interactive learning environment, even for large groups of 200+ participants.
Jodi wasn’t surprised in the least to find out she was the top super user of Mentimeter at University Hospitals. “I love it,” she admits. “The support provided is awesome, whether it’s the customer success manager or the help button feature when we’re building presentations live. Mentimeter is very responsive and helpful.”
Ease of use has also been key for adoption among her fellow educators. Jodi has found the interface very intuitive and enjoys the surplus of tools available. New educators who join the team are greeted with a welcome email with links to Menti Academy and an offer for a one-on-one session.
“We go through the basics of Mentimeter, and then really try to empower the educators to think outside the box and come up with creative ideas.”
Jodi’s team is enthusiastic about exploring new Mentimeter features - especially AI-powered capabilities - to further streamline content creation, gather insights faster, and ensure training continues to align with the latest healthcare needs. As UH Health System continues to expand its use of Mentimeter, Jodi remains a passionate champion, encouraging staff to think outside the box and use Mentimeter wherever it can improve both learning outcomes and patient care.
“Mentimeter allows our caregivers to speak up safely, learn collaboratively, and stay connected—even in the busiest hospital environments. We’re excited to keep innovating with it, ensuring our nurses provide the best patient care possible.”
With Mentimeter’s intuitive design, real-time engagement features, and commitment to continuous improvement, UH Health System has found a long-term partner in transforming healthcare education, no matter where or how that education takes place.