Revolutionizing Patient Care: UK HealthCare's Innovative Cooking Video Series

In a groundbreaking move, UK HealthCare is transforming patient education by bringing a series of cooking videos directly into hospital patient rooms. This collaborative project aims to empower patients with chronic diet-sensitive conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease, by providing easy-to-follow, medically tailored recipes that promote better health outcomes.

Empowering Patients to Take Control of Their Health

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Action

UK HealthCare dietitian Lindsay Turner has recognized a common challenge faced by patients: the disconnect between receiving heart-healthy diet education and actually putting it into practice. "A common theme I hear from patients is, 'I just don't know where to start,'" she explained. The cooking video series addresses this issue by providing affordable, accessible, and practical solutions that empower patients to take control of their diets and improve their overall health.

Collaborative Effort Across Disciplines

The video series is the result of a collaborative effort between UK HealthCare, the Food As Health Alliance, and Kentucky's pork and beef councils. The videos are designed to be engaging and easy to follow, taking inspiration from the popular BuzzFeed "Tasty" format with overhead shots, simple voiceovers, and straightforward instructions. This approach ensures that patients in a hospital setting can easily absorb the content without being overwhelmed by lengthy cooking shows.

Addressing Chronic Conditions and Beyond

The comprehensive video series covers a wide range of topics, including the "big four" chronic conditions in Kentucky: diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Additionally, the series includes content tailored to children's health and cancer nutrition, demonstrating the program's commitment to addressing diverse health needs.

Empowering Patients Through Collaboration

The success of this project is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Kentucky. The Food As Health Alliance, housed within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, has worked closely with healthcare providers like Dr. Larry Goldstein, chair of the UK College of Medicine Department of Neurology, to ensure the videos address the specific needs of patients.

Overcoming Barriers to Healthy Eating

Program coordinator Lauren Batey, a registered dietitian, has meticulously crafted the video content to address common challenges faced by patients, such as affordability, accessibility, and ease of preparation. "I treat it like a game of 'whack-a-mole,'" she said, "I put all these restrictions on myself — ease, affordability, nutrition and access. I want people, even in rural areas, to be able to prepare these recipes, so I make sure the ingredients are available in local grocery stores."

Empowering Stroke Patients for a Healthier Recovery

Dr. Goldstein, chair of the UK College of Medicine Department of Neurology, emphasized the importance of the video series in supporting stroke patients. "Our goal is to empower stroke patients with the knowledge they need to make informed nutritional choices that can positively impact their recovery and long-term health when they leave our hospital," he said. By collaborating with dietitians, the project ensures that the dietary advice is tailored to the specific needs of stroke patients, helping to reduce the risk of future strokes and improve overall well-being.

Expanding the Reach and Impact

The cooking video series is still in its early stages, but it is already making a significant difference. Patients have expressed their appreciation for the cost-effective and delicious recipes, as well as the accessibility of the content. The plan is to continue expanding the video library, with the goal of reaching even more patients and addressing a wider range of health concerns, including cancer nutrition.

Addressing Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease

The "Food As Health" approach adopted by the project goes beyond just improving individual health outcomes. It also aims to address larger issues like food insecurity in Kentucky. "We're acknowledging the role nutrition plays in health, but we're also addressing challenges to food access and affordability," explained Batey. By providing practical, affordable, and accessible recipes, the program hopes to be part of a larger solution for patients and the community.

Empowering Patients Through Innovative Technology

The decision to integrate the cooking videos into patient rooms was made possible by the flexibility of the Get Well Network system. This allows patients to access the content during their hospital stay and continue to use it at home, ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing support for their health journey.