Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this study is to understand what people understand from medical illustrations, and what meaning and emotions (such as anxiety) they derive from different design elements.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Medical Illustration design?
How does this treatment differ from other treatments for this condition?
This treatment uses medical illustrations, such as cartoons, to help patients and healthcare professionals understand medical concepts and procedures. Unlike traditional treatments that might involve medication or physical therapy, this approach focuses on visual education to improve comprehension and communication.678910
Research Team
TB
Timothy Bickmore, PhD
Principal Investigator
Northeastern University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults over 18 who speak English or Spanish fluently, can consent on their own, and have good enough vision (with correction) to read educational health documents. There are no specific exclusion criteria.Inclusion Criteria
I am over 18 years old.
I speak English or Spanish fluently.
I can make my own medical decisions.
See 1 more
Exclusion Criteria
Not applicable.
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1-2 weeks
Cognitive Interviews
Conduct cognitive interviews to understand the meaning laypersons obtain from different illustrations and their opinions on illustration styles
4 weeks
Multiple sessions (in-person or virtual)
Illustration Design Evaluation
Study the effect of systematically varying medical illustration designs on layperson understanding and anxiety
4 weeks
Multiple sessions (in-person or virtual)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for understanding and anxiety after exposure to illustrations
2 weeks
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Medical Illustration design (Behavioural Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study aims to evaluate how people interpret medical illustrations and the emotions they experience from different design elements in these images.
Participant Groups
20Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 9, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 9, version B
Group II: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 9, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 9, version A
Group III: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 8, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 8, version B
Group IV: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 8, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 8, version A
Group V: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 7, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 7, version B
Group VI: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 7, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 7, version A
Group VII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 6, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 6, version B
Group VIII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 6, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 6, version A
Group IX: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 5, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 5, version B
Group X: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 5, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 5, version A
Group XI: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 4, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 4, version B
Group XII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 4, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 4, version A
Group XIII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 3, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 3, version B
Group XIV: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 3, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 3, version A
Group XV: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 2, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 2, version B
Group XVI: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 2, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 2, version A
Group XVII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 10, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 10, version B
Group XVIII: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 10, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 10, version A
Group XIX: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 1, version BExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 1, version B
Group XX: Medical Illustration Design Distinction 1, version AExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Medical Illustration Design Distinction 1, version A
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
Tufts Medical CenterBoston, MA
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Northeastern University
Lead Sponsor
Trials
103
Patients Recruited
72,600+
Tufts Medical Center
Collaborator
Trials
264
Patients Recruited
264,000+
Boston University
Collaborator
Trials
494
Patients Recruited
9,998,000+
Findings from Research
Effective illustrations significantly improve patient education materials, making them more helpful for understanding medical information.
Collaboration between patient education material developers and illustrators is essential to create illustrations that truly enhance learning and comprehension for patients.
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effective use of patient education illustrations.Rohret, L., Ferguson, KJ.[2019]
Using images to explain surgical conditions to patients significantly improved communication and understanding, as reported by over 80% of patients who found the visual aids helpful.
The implementation of this method did not increase the time spent on patient visits, indicating that it can enhance patient satisfaction without compromising efficiency in outpatient care.
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Use of images in a surgery consultation. Will it improve the communication?Vilallonga, R., Fort, JM., Iordache, N., et al.[2015]
The study proposes three innovative pictorial methods for presenting hospital outcome data, specifically designed for older patients, which can enhance understanding and interpretation of complex data.
These methods, including two-dimensional diagrams for discharge locations and 'phase diagrams' for patient progress, allow for quick visual assessments of outcomes and can effectively account for variations in patient case-mix, aiding in performance comparisons across medical units.
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pictorial outcome measures for the hospital care of older patients--a suggested toolkit.Findlay, PF., Seymour, DG., Primrose, WR., et al.[2019]
Providing patients with clear and well-designed information is becoming a crucial responsibility for medical illustrators, highlighting its importance in patient care.
The article discusses the historical, legal, and design aspects of patient information, ultimately recommending ways to enhance its quality for better patient understanding and engagement.
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Patient information.England, PA.[2019]
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effectiveness of pictographs in improving patient education outcomes: a systematic review.Wang, T., Voss, JG.[2021]
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Developing hospital identity manuals: a reference tool for illustrators.Schaffer, JA., Zimmerman, SB.[2007]
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A comparison of the perceptual skills of physicians and medical illustrators.Jung, KI., Vanek, EP., Gilmore, GC.[2006]
Medical illustrators are advocating for statutory regulation and a protected title to establish credibility and enhance their professional reputation in healthcare.
The process of achieving this recognition has been politically challenging, highlighting the complexities involved in professional regulation within the field.
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A backward glance.Fleming, C.[2018]
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ethical and legal aspects of illustrative clinical recording.Gilson, CC.[2007]
NCBI (Pubmed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cartooning: a humorous approach to medical and health education.McDermott, TJ.[2007]
References
Effective use of patient education illustrations. [2019]
Use of images in a surgery consultation. Will it improve the communication? [2015]
Pictorial outcome measures for the hospital care of older patients--a suggested toolkit. [2019]
Patient information. [2019]
Effectiveness of pictographs in improving patient education outcomes: a systematic review. [2021]
Developing hospital identity manuals: a reference tool for illustrators. [2007]
A comparison of the perceptual skills of physicians and medical illustrators. [2006]
A backward glance. [2018]
Ethical and legal aspects of illustrative clinical recording. [2007]
Cartooning: a humorous approach to medical and health education. [2007]