The HUG has developed an information policy aimed at giving the patient everything they need to understand their condition. This policy enables anyone being treated at the HUG to consult a large catalog of documents (brochures, websites, mobile apps(FR), videos (FR)) describing pathologies, medical or surgical treatments, their benefits, side effects, risks, possible complications and costs. These documents support the information provided by health professionals during patient meetings.
All publications containing medical information are validated by the Patient and Family Information Group (GIPP), created in 2007. Made up of doctors, nurses and editors, this group helps health professionals to develop clear and accessible media content in accordance with international recommendations.
Find out more : health information.
Mobile Apps
Forerunners in the field, Geneva University Hospitals have launched several digital tools designed to empower patients to take better charge of their treatment.
Several mobile apps (FR) are available for free download on the Apple Store and Android Market, including:
- SmartHUG provides live waiting times in the Geneva Accident and Emergency Network, and gives information on the services offered by the HUG
- InfoKids is for parents whose children require emergency pediatric medical attention
- AVC HUG is used to identify the warning signs of a stroke and manage risk factors. After a stroke (or CVA), it facilitates rehabilitation to restore quality of life
- ELIPS IC is for chronic heart failure patients and their loved ones
- Emoteo is aimed at people who experience emotions in an overly intense way and suffer as a result
- Monenfantestmalade (my child is ill) details common childhood illnesses, everyday accidents and how to remedy them
- Webdia calculates the insulin injections to be given according to the composition of a meal and the blood sugar level
- KidsETransplant is for children and teenagers with a liver transplant.
Forerunners in this area, the HUG have launched several digital tools so that patients can better take charge of their treatment and empower themselves.
Welcoming patients in 50 different languages
Professional interpreters are available to medical staff at no cost to the patient, in order to respect everyone's right to be informed clearly and comprehensively in the language they speak best. 2017 saw around 40,000 hours of interpretation in 50 different languages. This service is also available by phone.
In addition, a HUG team is currently developing Babel Dr, a simultaneous translation app to facilitate medical communication in the absence of an interpreter, which will be used in emergencies for languages that are not widely translated such as Tigrina or Farsi. These benefits make sense when you consider that about 1 in 8 patients do not speak French at all.