Use of QR Codes to Provide Patient Education During the Coronavirus Disease 19 Pandemic

A Quick response (QR) code is a square two-dimensional barcode. The square design adds to its distinguishability and enables information to be coded horizontally and vertically. Therefore, more information, different formats of information, and quicker access to information is attained. ¹ Information within a QR code is easily accessed by a smartphone camera and can be retrieved if the QR code is damaged or partially missing. ¹

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses were forced to alter normal routines and started to use QR codes, which provided hands free access to information in order to minimize exposure. Similarly, hospitals imposed severe restrictions which limited the staff from providing 1:1 education to patients or family members and patients were reluctant to bring home potentially contaminated printed materials. Following discharge, patients were still apprehensive of using visiting nurses or attending education classes. In an attempt to address the gap and provide accessible, comprehensive diabetes educational material, the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center utilized this technology and developed a “Diabetes QR Code Postcard” (Figure 1). The design printed on cardstock was simple, incorporate the hospital approved “Inpatient Diabetes Guide” and diabetes education videos into 2 QR codes; English and Spanish. Videos included understanding/managing type 1/type 2 diabetes, nutrition, glucometer use, insulin pen use, footcare, in addition to information about outpatient diabetes education support. When activated, the QR code directed individuals to the diabetes education pages on the hospital info-net which allowed the ability to track usage.

Figure 1.

Diabetes QR Code Postcard.

Approximately 85% of Americans own a smartphone and reliance on a smartphone for internet access is common among younger adults, lower-income Americans and individuals with a high school education or less. ² This information, along with the knowledge that URL’s must be entered correctly, the frustration of incorrectly typing a URL and not accessing education materials, was a need that could be met using QR codes. Although, the name “QR code” is a registered trademark, the use is free, available to anyone, can be affixed to almost any surface, and information is available with a quick scan.

Limitations in using QR codes is understanding the technology to achieve access to information, ownership of a smartphone, as well as, knowledge and usage of QR codes. Also, the use of QR codes for education eliminates patient-educator interaction, limiting opportunities to ask questions and obtain clarification.

QR code use is expanding within the United States. However, there is limited literature on the use of QR codes to provide patient education. The ease of use, cost-effectiveness, ability to store and easily retrieve information makes the QR code an ideal patient education resource. To add value to the field, the authors plan to monitor use and conduct a survey to determine the acceptance, perceived usefulness of the education provided and user-friendliness.