Abstract
This study aims to explore how visual aids (VA) are used in ambulatory medical practice. Our research group (two doctors, one graphic designer and one sociologist) have led a qualitative study based on Focus Groups. A semi-structured guide and examples of VA were used to stimulate discussions. Participants were healthcare professionals (HP) working in ambulatory practice in Geneva and French-speaking outpatients. After inductive thematic analysis, the coding process was analyzed and modified to eventually reach consensus. Six focus groups gathered twenty-one HP and fifteen patients. Our study underlines the variety of purposes of use of VA and the different contexts of use allowing the distinction between "stand-alone" VA used out of consultation by patients alone and "interactive" VA used during a consultation enriched by the interaction between HP and patients. HP described that VA can take the form of useful tools for education and communication during consultation. They have questioned the quality of available VA and complained about restricted access to them. Patients expressed concern about the impact of VA on the interaction with HP. Participants agreed on the beneficial role of VA to supplement verbal explanation and text. Our study emphasizes the need to classify available VA, guarantee their quality, facilitate their access and deliver pertinent instructions for use.
Highlights
Images are used to communicate and teach in a multitude of areas
The inductive thematic analysis resulted in bringing out five main themes: 1) identification and definition of visual aids (VA) 2) context of use, purpose and role of VA, 3) co-construction and reference systems, 4) accessibility and quality of VA and 5) patient-healthcare professional relationship
Participants emphasize the importance of general aesthetics and the need to catch the patient’s attention. This fact validates the importance of collaboration between patients, healthcare professionals (HP) and graphic designers to take into account purposes as well as visual needs [2, 19, 20]
Summary
Images are used to communicate and teach in a multitude of areas. The recall of information transmitted orally during consultation is unsatisfactory and written documents are often not adapted to patients [1]. The use of images seems to improve understanding, attention and recall of information [2]. A lot of interest has been devoted to the development and use of pictograms to improve medication adherence [3,4,5]. For the purpose of this article we have defined “visual aids” as all media or formats that are used to give information with the aid of non-moving images (aid to verbal or written information). Illustrations, drawings, infographics (method to visually communicate information) or pictograms (Fig 1) [6]
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