From pandemic pivot to everyday engagement

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.

About UH Health System

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.

The challenge

• 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.

Clever new ways of using Mentimeter

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.

The solution

• 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.

Valued anonymity

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.