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Article published In:
Information Design Journal
Vol. 25:2 (2019) ► pp.125–156

Information design for bowel cancer detection

The impact of using information visualisation to help patients prepare for colonoscopy screening

| University of Leeds
| Hull York Medical School
Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in the world, and colonoscopy is the most sensitive procedure to detect it. Colonoscopy success depends on the quality of bowel preparation, yet the way information is designed and communicated to patients does not meet their needs. By considering how information is conveyed through three different outputs (booklet, motion graphics and app), this study investigates the advantages of using visualised information when communicating bowel preparation instructions for colonoscopy screening. A user-centered multiple-methods approach was followed and results show how user performance benefits from the use of information visualisation. A set of guidelines is given to inform the development of bowel preparation instructions and other similar health related communications.
Keywords: information design, information visualisation, patient information, user-centered information design, bowel cancer, bowel cancer screening
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Context
    • 1.2Aim and research questions
  • 2.Identification of problems and needs
    • 2.1Survey of existing booklets
    • 2.2Focus group and questionnaire with former patients
      • 2.2.1Focus group
      • 2.2.2Online questionnaire with former patients
  • 3.Design development, testing and iteration
    • 3.1Booklet development, testing and iteration
    • 3.2Motion graphics development, testing and iteration
    • 3.3App development, testing and iteration
  • 4.Evaluation and validation
    • 4.1Booklet
      • 4.1.1Participants
      • 4.1.2Procedure and materials
    • 4.2Motion graphics
      • 4.2.1Participants
      • 4.2.2Procedure and materials
    • 4.3App
      • 4.3.1Participants
      • 4.3.2Procedure and materials
  • 5.Results
    • 5.1Comprehension accuracy (performance)
    • 5.2Time (performance)
    • 5.3Opinion
  • 6.Discussion and conclusion
  • 7.Practical implications and guidelines
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 7 July 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.25.2.01lon
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