In the latest edition of the MDU journal, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has showcased the work of Professor David Wald, founder of Explain my Procedure (EMP) – an online platform that develops animations to support communication, understanding and consent in medicine.

David, a cardiologist working at St Bartholomew's Hospital, describes how the five-minute animations cover the key GMC areas for valid consent and are available in multiple languages to increase equality and inclusion.

David notes the importance of such a resource, stating:

"Good communication is central to informed consent. This can be hampered by language and educational barriers, time pressure, complexity around benefit and risk, and incomplete consideration of alternative options.

"Explain my Procedure (EMP) animations help overcome these obstacles. They do not replace a doctor's duty to inform or individualise the consent discussion, but they do provide general background information. The web-platform allows the animations to be seamlessly woven into the patient pathway, providing upstream information to prompt questions.

"Instead of using valuable face-to-face time recycling the same information about a procedure, we can focus on what matters. It changes the interaction, empowers patients and supports safer decision-making."

The success of EMP was immediate, with the tool winning the HSJ Award for Digitising Patient Services in 2019, the BMJ Digital Award in 2020 and the Aneurin Bevan Award in the same year.

MDU highlights 'Explain my Procedure' learning resource in latest journal

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