Communicating with patients through pictograms and pictures – a scoping review

Abstract

Background

Communication between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) may on occasion be challenged by disparities in cultural background, age and educational level. Written educational material is commonly used to reduce the risk of miscommunication. However, literacy among patients may also differ and it is, therefore, speculated that the use of pictograms may improve patients’ understanding and adherence.

Objective

To evaluate the scientific literature and investigate the effect and practical utility of pictograms in medical settings with focus on dermatological patients.

Materials and methods

Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched July 2021 for studies regarding use of pictograms in medical settings and dermatology.

Results

The use of pictograms in dermatology is not well characterized, but studies in other fields of medicine report a positive effect of using pictograms in communication. Pictograms have a significant positive effect when presented alongside verbal or written explanations.

Conclusions

The quality of the development process is important to ensure the utility of any pictogram. Involving the target population in the design and validation of the pictograms may be critical. In the validation process, testing of transparency and translucency may benefit from international recommendations.

Keywords:

• Dermatology
• communication
• pictogram

Disclosure statement

Dr. Henning reported receiving grants from Leo Foundation. Dr Jemec reported receiving grants from AbbVie, LEO Foundation, Afyx, InflaRx, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, UCB, CSL Behring, Regeneron, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Union Therapeutics, and Toosonix and personal fees from Coloplast, Chemocentryx, LEO Pharma, Incyte, Kymera, and VielaBio. Dr. Ibler has been part of advisory boards and received personal fees from Astra Zeneca, Leo Pharma; Sanofi Genzymes and Eli Lilly. Dr Henning, Jemec, and Ibler declare that none of the mentioned conflicts of interest had any influence to the content of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by AbbVie, LEO Foundation, Afyx, InflaRx, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, UCB, CSL Behring, Regeneron, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Union Therapeutics, and Toosonix.