We would like to share this excellent article on patient information recall we have come across, from Roy P C Kessels.

The article points out at the difference of using videos with patients as opposed to static visuals or pictograms (or infographics) and provides some good reference for the ones involved in patient communication, still in doubt about which media should be chosen when assembling patient information. Interesting conclusions are drawn. Below an excerpt:

“Memory for medical information is often poor and inaccurate, especially when the patient is old or anxious. [ ..] spoken information should be supported with written or visual material. Visual communication aids are especially effective in low-literacy patients, but video or multimedia techniques do not improve memory performance or adherence to therapy.”

See the full article here https://goo.gl/uaWbZd

References presented in this article are worth a quick read as well.

Houts PS, Bachrach R, Witmer JT, et al. Using pictographs to enhance recall of spoken medical instructions. Patient Educ Couns 1998;35: 83-8 [PubMed]

Ford S, Fallowfield L, Hall A, Lewis S. The influence of audiotapes on patient participation in the cancer consultation. Eur J Cancer1995;31A: 2264-9 [PubMed]

Delp C, Jones J. Communicating information to patients: the use of cartoon illustrations to improve comprehension of instructions. Acad Emerg Med 1996;3: 264-70 [PubMed]

Bakker DA, Blais D, Reed E, Vaillancourt C, Gervais S, Beaulieu P. Descriptive study to compare patient recall of information: nurse taught versus video supplement. Can Oncol Nurs J 1999;9: 115-20 [PubMed]