If you’re running a healthcare business, chances are you’re juggling a hundred things at once. You’ve got patients to see, staff to manage, regulations to comply with—and then there’s the marketing. That’s where explainer videos can help you punch well above your weight.
In this article, we’re going to look at how explainer videos can do far more than just explain procedures. Used strategically, they can attract more patients, boost trust in your services, and set your healthcare business apart in an increasingly competitive field. We’ll talk about the business benefits, types of videos to focus on, how to use them to your advantage, and tips for creating ones that actually work.
Why Explainer Videos Are a Smart Move for Healthcare Businesses
Let’s start with this: patients don’t just want good care—they want to feel understood. Healthcare is deeply personal, and when people don’t understand what you do or how you’ll help them, they hesitate. That hesitation can cost you bookings, loyalty, and reputation.
An explainer video helps break down those barriers. It simplifies the complex. It reassures without needing a human on hand 24/7. But beyond patient understanding, videos are also powerful business tools. They can:
- Increase your visibility online
- Improve SEO rankings for your website
- Boost social media engagement
- Reduce the number of time-consuming enquiries
- Strengthen your brand identity
How Videos Help You Win New Patients
When someone lands on your website or social page, you’ve got seconds to convince them to stay. A short, well-crafted explainer video can instantly give them a reason to trust you.
First Impressions Matter
Patients are often nervous, especially when looking for a new specialist or treatment. Seeing a friendly, informative video that clearly explains a procedure or introduces your clinic makes you feel more approachable.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Text can only do so much. Video lets you demonstrate your expertise—whether that’s showing a virtual tour of your clinic, explaining your unique approach, or walking people through a treatment step-by-step.
Build Authority
People tend to trust those who can explain things clearly. A confident, clear video positions you as an expert in your field, even before a patient has set foot in your clinic.
Types of Explainer Videos That Drive Growth
To really get business value from video, focus on formats that answer real patient questions, highlight your services, and set expectations. Here are some great types to consider:
1. Service Overviews
Service overview videos are the foundation of any healthcare provider’s video strategy. They allow you to showcase what each of your services offers, who it benefits, and how it fits into a patient’s treatment journey. Done well, these videos help viewers decide whether your clinic is the right choice for their needs. They also clarify what to expect from each service, eliminating confusion and hesitation.
A typical service video should outline the problem the service addresses, your approach to solving it, and the results patients can realistically expect. If you provide multiple related services, consider filming a series of overview videos, each tailored to different patient concerns or demographics. This helps prospective patients find exactly what they’re looking for without having to search too hard.
It’s also a chance to reinforce your brand tone—whether that’s warm and nurturing, high-tech and cutting-edge, or clinical and efficient. Clear, engaging visuals paired with straightforward narration ensure your message resonates with people who are considering your clinic for the first time.
2. Procedure Walkthroughs
Procedure walkthrough videos take the mystery out of clinical treatments. Many patients delay or avoid medical appointments due to fear of the unknown. By showing them exactly what a procedure involves—step by step—you reduce anxiety and boost confidence. These videos can be especially helpful for first-time patients or those undergoing specialist treatments.
Walkthroughs should cover the full patient journey: what to bring to the appointment, how long the procedure takes, what sensations they might feel, and any recovery steps they’ll need to follow. This level of detail provides a sense of preparedness and control, which is incredibly reassuring. Be sure to use patient-friendly language and visuals that demystify the process without glossing over important facts.
From a business standpoint, this kind of content reduces cancellations and no-shows, as patients feel better informed and less fearful. It also lightens the load on your team, who otherwise spend valuable time explaining the same process over and over. Consider pairing the video with an email sent ahead of a patient’s appointment to reinforce key messages.
3. Doctor or Staff Introductions
Healthcare is personal, and many patients want to know who they’ll be dealing with before they arrive. Doctor or staff introduction videos create that essential human connection. Even a short video clip of a warm welcome from a clinician or receptionist can make your clinic feel friendlier and more approachable.
These videos are a chance to showcase qualifications, experience, and clinical expertise—without sounding stiff or formal. A relaxed, confident tone helps put patients at ease, especially if you include a few personal touches like what a doctor enjoys outside of work or their approach to patient care. This builds trust and familiarity before the first handshake.
You can also use these videos to communicate your clinic culture. Whether you’re a high-end cosmetic centre or a community-focused practice, a video introduction gives prospective patients a glimpse of your values. When patients feel they know the people behind the service, they’re far more likely to follow through with bookings.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Videos
FAQs are gold dust when it comes to content. Patients often ask the same questions again and again: “Will it hurt?”, “Is it covered by insurance?”, “What’s the recovery time?” Turning those questions into short, digestible videos creates an incredibly helpful resource that saves time on both ends.
These videos work well as a series or a playlist, with each clip tackling a single question. This way, patients can find exactly the answer they’re after without wading through lots of unrelated content. You can also share FAQ videos on social media, embed them into confirmation emails, or feature them on your booking page.
From a business perspective, FAQ videos demonstrate responsiveness and transparency—two things that go a long way in building trust. They show you understand patient concerns and are committed to clear communication. Over time, this helps reduce call volumes and improves the overall patient experience.
5. Patient Testimonials
A strong testimonial can be more persuasive than any sales pitch. Hearing real people talk about their positive experience with your clinic builds authenticity and credibility. These videos often resonate more deeply than written reviews because they show emotion, body language, and genuine satisfaction.
When filming patient testimonials, aim for diversity in both treatment types and demographics. This helps new patients see themselves in the stories being told. It’s important that testimonials feel honest and unforced—patients should speak in their own words and share what genuinely mattered most to them.
From a marketing angle, testimonials are brilliant for both conversion and retention. They remove doubt, especially for viewers who are on the fence about booking. You can use them on landing pages, in email campaigns, and as part of social proof strategies across your website and social platforms.
Where to Use Your Explainer Videos for Maximum Business Impact
Once your video is made, don’t just let it sit on your website. You’ve got to make sure it’s working hard for you. Here’s where to use it:
- On your homepage – This helps with conversion straight away.
- On service pages – Patients can understand what they’re booking.
- In follow-up emails – Add video links to booking confirmations.
- On social media – Video content is far more likely to be seen and shared.
- In ads – Video ads tend to outperform image-based ones.
- In your waiting room – A great way to educate and upsell other services.
How Videos Improve Search and Online Visibility
Search engines love video content. If you embed an explainer video on a relevant page, you’re more likely to rank higher in search results. That’s because video increases dwell time—how long people stay on your page.
Plus, platforms like YouTube are their own search engines. If you upload your video there with a keyword-rich title and description, you can reach entirely new audiences who are actively searching for information.
Choosing the Right Art Style for Your Explainer Video
The visual style of your explainer video isn’t just a matter of taste—it can significantly affect how your message is perceived. Different art styles suit different audiences and goals, so choosing the right one can enhance the video’s effectiveness and engagement.
1. Whiteboard Animation
Whiteboard animation is great for educational content. It mimics a classroom or seminar setting, making it ideal for explaining complex medical procedures, scientific processes, or public health data. It’s particularly useful when you want to break down step-by-step processes in a logical, linear way.
This style is popular in healthcare because it keeps things simple and focused. The hand-drawn aesthetic keeps viewers engaged without being overwhelming. It also has a clean, professional feel, making it suitable for clinics or hospitals that want to maintain a formal tone while still being accessible.
If your goal is to clarify something technical in a clear and trustworthy way—such as how a piece of medical equipment works or what a particular diagnosis means—whiteboard animation is an excellent choice.
2. 2D Character Animation
2D character animation is warm, friendly, and relatable. This style uses illustrated characters to walk viewers through a scenario, which helps humanise the message. It’s an especially good fit for patient walkthroughs, mental health topics, or family-friendly clinics aiming to build trust and comfort.
By personifying the viewer’s journey through animation, you can guide them through complex or emotionally challenging situations without being clinical or cold. You can also represent diversity and inclusion by creating characters that reflect your audience, making your video more inclusive and approachable.
This style is perfect if you want to make your clinic feel more personal, particularly for services that involve ongoing care, like paediatrics, counselling, or chronic condition management.
3. Live-Action with Motion Graphics
Sometimes, the most impactful approach is to feature real people—especially if you’re introducing your clinic team, facilities, or patient success stories. Live-action footage combined with motion graphics overlays (like icons, text, or animations) creates a polished yet human feel.
This hybrid style is excellent for videos where you want to establish credibility, such as staff introductions, service overviews, or testimonial stories. Adding motion graphics makes the video more dynamic and informative without requiring extensive post-production.
Use this style when the human connection is key, but you still want to highlight facts, steps, or statistics in a visually engaging way. It’s well suited for private practices, cosmetic clinics, or surgical centres aiming to balance professionalism with personality.
How to Craft Explainer Videos That Actually Work
It’s not enough to just make a video. It needs to be the right kind of video. Here are some rules to follow:
- Be clear and concise – Stick to one idea per video.
- Use everyday language – Avoid medical jargon unless you explain it.
- Add a call to action – Always tell the viewer what to do next: call, book, subscribe, etc.
- Keep it on brand – Use your colours, tone, and logo to keep it consistent.
- Invest in quality – Poor sound or visuals can damage your reputation more than help it.
What About ROI? Is It Really Worth the Cost?
This is the big question for most clinic owners: how do you justify the cost of making videos?
The answer lies in how long they last and how many people they reach. One good explainer video can sit on your website, feature in social posts, and run in email campaigns for months—sometimes years. If it converts just a handful of new patients, it may already have paid for itself.
Plus, you’ll save hours of staff time otherwise spent answering the same questions. That’s valuable too.
Final Thoughts
Explainer videos are one of the most powerful ways healthcare providers can grow their business. They build trust, answer questions, attract new patients, and make your clinic look professional and forward-thinking.
Whether you’re a private dermatologist, dental clinic, or health tech startup—if you’re not using video, you’re leaving opportunity on the table.
So, if you’re serious about growing your healthcare business in a way that’s both smart and scalable, it’s time to hit record. Or better yet—work with someone who can help you bring your vision to life, one frame at a time. If you’d like to explore how explainer videos could work for your healthcare business, feel free to get in touch with us here at Spiel—we’d love to chat.
