From ancient times to modern: realizing the power of data visualization in healthcare and medicine

Mohamed Elgendi,Amir Hussain,Rabab Ward,Newton Howard,Carlo Menon

doi:10.1186/s41044-020-00047-z

Abstract

Data visuals (scientific images) display and express various amounts and types of information, and, as the saying goes,“an image is worth 1,000 words.” Based on a review of two studies, a new estimation of how many words an image is actually worth was calculated in an attempt to quantify the complicated biological process of image perception. The result revealed that an image is actually worth more than 30,000 words. This new value estimation provides insight into the power of images. Given that figures, graphs, and data visualizations are types of images commonly used in research and publications, every produced figure is important and must be carefully considered during the publication process.

Highlights

Appreciating the power of an image elevates the level of impact a publication will have and can create a medium that enables researchers from different disciplines to understand cross and interdisciplinary results and conclusions. With this kind of knowledge sharing with easy-to-understand visuals by scientists with different backgrounds, the overall research community will reap the benefits of increased results sharing, as well as new interactions and improved communication among different research communities
An effective image can be understood by others outside the research community who may benefit from the information being shared
With this kind of knowledge sharing with easy-to-understand visuals by scientists with different backgrounds, the overall research community will reap the benefits of increased results sharing, as well as new interactions and improved communication among different research communities

Summary

Introduction

With a quick look at history and we can see that images have played an important role in transferring ideas since the beginning of humanity. The small tools show that they had a general idea of the location in the body of the inner organs and how to do small incisions. There is no doubt that visualizing the medical tools was enough to show medical advancement and that the knowledge was passed on to the practitioners of medicine over the years

Methods

Conclusion