The Attention Framework the Best Doctor Creators Use

Most doctors think growing online comes down to posting more often or throwing more money at marketing, but I see it differently.

I believe it’s about understanding how attention works, and once you understand that, your Attention Framework becomes the real lever for growth.

If you can capture attention and keep it long enough to deliver practical health education, you’ve cracked the code. And in 2026, it’s pretty clear that 5 to 10 minute videos give you the best chance to do this well.

Why the Beginning of Your Video Matters Most

Recent data suggests you’ve got about 8 seconds before someone decides whether they’re going to keep watching your video or click away.

If they make it past that early decision point and into the first minute, they’re far more likely to watch half the video or more. That’s why the beginning of your video matters more than anything else.

For the sake of this post, I’m only focusing on what you say in your intro. This is where most doctors lose people without realizing it.

The doctors who do better on YouTube aren’t necessarily better at medicine or even better health educators.

They’ve just gotten their intros down to a science. There’s a pattern they use, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Once you understand this pattern, you can use it in every video you make.

Let's dive into the four components that make up a compelling intro.

First: Make the Point Clear and Who It’s For

In the first few seconds, the viewer is subconsciously asking, “What is this about, and who is this for?” Your job is to answer that immediately. You do that by stating the point of the video clearly, using descriptive language, and speaking directly to what they want.

Right away, you’re painting a picture for them with your opening lines. A great example of this comes from Seth Capehart of Capehart MD.

One of his videos was titled The real reason you’re aging fast after 40, and he opens by saying that aging is inevitable, but how you age is entirely up to you.

In another example, he opens a video about his morning routine by speaking directly to men who want higher testosterone, more energy, and better performance.

In a third, he talks about staying under 15% body fat year-round and immediately frames it as easier than most people think.

Second: Show Them Why They Should Care

Next, you want to help the viewer understand why this actually matters to their life. You’re not trying to scare them or hype them up, but you are raising the stakes. You’re surfacing what’s frustrating about their current situation or what’s at risk if they ignore it.

In the aging example, he contrasts men who fall apart after 40 with those who stay strong and sharp into their 60s and 70s.

In the testosterone example, he points out that most men are sabotaging their levels without realizing it. In the body fat example, he calls out the belief that staying lean after 40 means giving up everything fun.

Each time, he’s tapping into a real fear or frustration people already have. That leads into the next component.

Third: Help Them Believe Change Is Possible

At this stage, the viewer is asking themselves if this can work for someone like them.

You answer that by showing proof that the outcome is achievable.

That might be:

• patients you work with
• a group of people you regularly see improve
• or yourself if it’s relevant

In one of his intros, he says he’s 40 years old, has four kids, works full time as an ER doctor, and has stayed under 15% body fat since high school. By sharing that context, he’s showing that results are possible even with real-life constraints. This brings us to the final piece.

Fourth: Set Expectations and Establish Credibility

The last step is simple.

You briefly outline what you’re going to cover in the video so the viewer knows what to expect, and then you introduce yourself with a line or two that establishes trust and credibility.

When you put all four parts together, the intro flows naturally.

Dr. Capehart frequently opens with the topic of the video, raises the stakes, shows that change is possible, explains what he’ll cover, and then introduces himself and his background.

That’s the full framework working as intended.

Now that you can see the pattern, you’ll start noticing it everywhere. And once you start using it in your own videos, you’ll likely see how powerful the Attention Framework really is when it comes to drawing patients in and keeping them engaged.