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The Growing Challenge of Scaling Genomic Resources in Australia and New Zealand
Making complex genomic consent easier for patients — and faster for staff
The Australian genomics study involved obtaining consent from parents of critically ill children to undergo rapid genomic testing — a highly complex process that can be overwhelming, especially in stressful clinical settings.
Challenges included:
- Explaining complex medical concepts during emotionally intense consultations
- Inconsistent delivery of consent information across sites
- Difficulty verifying that patients received and understood required information
- Manual consent documentation that increased workload and audit risk
With multiple hospitals participating in the study, the team needed a consistent, scalable digital consent platform that could improve the patient experience without increasing the burden on clinicians.
The Solution
A video-assisted, digital patient education platform
Personify Care implemented a consent pathway, combining multimedia patient education with digital consent collection — tailored to meet the specific needs of the genomics study.
Key features included:
- Video-based education modules delivered to parents in advance
- Digital consent forms with guided prompts and secure submission
- Automated audit trails, showing exactly when and what each patient received
- Scalable delivery across multiple hospitals and clinicians
- Patient-friendly mobile interface accessible on any device
By supporting patients with clear, timely information, the platform improved understanding while reducing the pressure on clinical teams.
The Results
Improved comprehension, reduced admin, and a better experience
The study showed that video-assisted consent was not only feasible, but more effective than traditional methods.
- 89% of patients said the video helped them better understand the study
- 100% of clinicians reported the platform was easy to use
- Improved documentation consistency and reduced staff workload
- Greater patient autonomy and confidence in decision-making
As noted in the published study:
“Digital genetic testing consent and digitally collected patient medical history have become critical steps in the patient journey at WCН.
This exciting approach to consent and medical information collection has a positive effect on the unit’s workflow and can be applied to other units to improve patient experiences.”
Professor Christopher Barnett
Head Paediatric and Reproductive Genetics Unit (PRGU), Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) & Statewide Clinical Genomics Lead, Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health (CEIH)
This case study demonstrates how a purpose-built patient education platform can transform consent — especially when complex information must be delivered quickly, accurately, and compassionately.
Why It Matters
Consent and patient education, reimagined for modern care
Whether for genomics, surgery, or clinical research, Personify Care’s digital consent software helps health services:
- Deliver consistent education and risk disclosures
- Reduce reliance on paper-based processes
- Ensure audit-ready consent documentation
- Empower patients to make informed decisions
By enabling patients to absorb information in their own time — and on their own terms — this approach increases confidence and improves comprehension.
See the Platform in Action
Ready to streamline your consent workflows and improve patient understanding?
Book a demo to see how video-assisted digital consent can transform your patient experience.
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