Alina Krasnoryadtseva1, Nicola Dalbeth2, Keith J Petrie3. 1. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: a.krasnoryadtseva@auckland.ac.nz. 2. Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore how the addition of a medical illustration and its style affected information comprehension, perception of educational material and illness beliefs. METHODS:204 people recruited in a supermarket were randomised to read one of the four leaflets about gout and fill out a questionnaire. Three leaflets had a picture showing gout in the form of a cartoon, an anatomical drawing or a computed tomography scan (CT). The control leaflet did not contain images. RESULTS: Seeing an illustrated leaflet helped correctly identify treatment for gout X2(1, N = 204) = 5.51, p=0.019. Out of the three images, only the cartoon was better than text in conveying information about treatment X2(1, n = 102) = 8.84, p=0.018. Participants perceived illustrated leaflets as more visually appealing t(70) = 3.09, p = 0.003, and the anatomical image was seen as more helpful for understanding of the illness than the cartoon. Pictures did not significantly influence lay illness perceptions about gout. CONCLUSION: Pictures aid the understanding of health information and increase the visual appeal of materials. While simpler illustrations convey information more effectively, people prefer more detailed anatomical images; CT scans offer no benefits over simpler images. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results can help guide the use of images in gout education material.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To explore how the addition of a medical illustration and its style affected information comprehension, perception of educational material and illness beliefs. METHODS: 204 people recruited in a supermarket were randomised to read one of the four leaflets about gout and fill out a questionnaire. Three leaflets had a picture showing gout in the form of a cartoon, an anatomical drawing or a computed tomography scan (CT). The control leaflet did not contain images. RESULTS: Seeing an illustrated leaflet helped correctly identify treatment for gout X2(1, N = 204) = 5.51, p=0.019. Out of the three images, only the cartoon was better than text in conveying information about treatment X2(1, n = 102) = 8.84, p=0.018. Participants perceived illustrated leaflets as more visually appealing t(70) = 3.09, p = 0.003, and the anatomical image was seen as more helpful for understanding of the illness than the cartoon. Pictures did not significantly influence lay illness perceptions about gout. CONCLUSION: Pictures aid the understanding of health information and increase the visual appeal of materials. While simpler illustrations convey information more effectively, people prefer more detailed anatomical images; CT scans offer no benefits over simpler images. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results can help guide the use of images in gout education material.
Authors: Mohsen Alyami; Anna Serlachius; Mikaela Law; Rinki Murphy; Turky H Almigbal; Mataroria Lyndon; Mohammed A Batais; Rawabi K Algaw; Elizabeth Broadbent Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2022-08-09
Authors: Hanne C Lie; Lene K Juvet; Richard L Street; Pål Gulbrandsen; Anneli V Mellblom; Espen Andreas Brembo; Hilde Eide; Lena Heyn; Kristina H Saltveit; Hilde Strømme; Vibeke Sundling; Eva Turk; Julia Menichetti Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2021-08-05 Impact factor: 5.128