Summary
Patients may have limited medical knowledge so their levels of health literacy and needs should be considered while creating materials to inform and educate them. They also access information via different formats. They might be given booklets or handouts at their doctors office or seek out information on the web. Giving them accurate information is important, but it’s just as important to understand learning and cognitive theories when designing the patient education materials.
OncoVision, a Breast Cancer Patient Education Prototype with a Personalized Approach
My masters research project was the design of a prototype of an interactive program, named OncoVision, that utilized customizable 3D models of breast anatomy and tumors to educate breast cancer patients and inform their decision making. The models and tumors were created in Cinema 4D and individual frames were rendered to mimic 3D rotation and zoom features. The interface and functionality of the proposed prototype was created in Adobe XD. The program was evaluated for its effectiveness at customizing breast cancer case visualizations and its ability to educate patients.
To interact with the prototype and build a sample breast cancer visualization, click the button below.
Social Media Posts
Many patients use social media, so designing education materials for the web is one way to make information accessible. As some patients scroll through social media on their phone, a designer should be mindful of text sizes and aspect rations. I illustrated this post about adrenalectomy’s for Instagram, with the target audience being the layperson. The illustration was to educate them on the location and purpose of the adrenal glands, why an adrenalectomy may be recommended, and how it is performed.
Print Media
This patient education booklet was a class exercise, designed to be available in a clinicians office. It was created for a person who suspects they might have a peptic ulcer and may be preparing for diagnosis and treatment. I chose to illustrate the stomach and ulcers in a stylized manner, as a realistic rendering may be off putting to a patient.
Chelsey Crile 