Could we add "using" pictures to the 8 points of communicating research? [*see note below] Much research suggests that patients remember 15% of what they're told face to face, 25% if they are given written supplementary information and 80% if they are given pictures. Current technology makes this feasible and I would suggest the supportive use of music if this supports the messages?
The global literacy rate for all people aged 15 and above is 86.3%. The global literacy rate for all males is 90.0%, and the rate for all females is 82.7%. The rate varies throughout the world, with developed nations having a rate of 99.2% (2013), South and West Asia having 70.2% (2015), and sub-Saharan Africa at 64.0% (2015).[3] Over 75% of the world's 781 million illiterate adults are found in South Asia, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, and women represent almost two-thirds of all illiterate adults globally.[4]
25% of the population in literate countries at the lowest level of literacy skill, termed NALS level 1, can only perform basic tasks such as signing their name or finding a word or fact in a short written article.
23% of the population at level 2 have somewhat more advanced skills but are still substantially limited in their ability to read and understand text. They are considered marginally literate.
Patients remember about 15% of what they are told in face to face in consultations, 25% if they are given accompanying written (semantic) information, 80% if hey are given pictures.
These figures would be much more skewed for “children” with pictures being more important still?
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com
[*Note from NPW, moderator: The original paper [as described in https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/communicating-health-research-106-q5-wh... ] was looking broadly at the information needs of all stakeholders, including patients. The current discussion is looking particularly at the needs of policymakers. In the context of our current discussion, I invite HIFA members to consider the use of pictures to help communicate health research to policymakers. I can think of two examples: infographics (where information is presented visually to enhance understanding) and presentations (where pictures, photographs and video may be used to increase impact).
