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Using pictograms for communication
Terri H Clawson1, Joan Leafman, Guy M Nehrenz
1LDS Charities, 50 East North Temple 7th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA.
Military Medicine
|April 7, 2012
Summary
Pictograms can improve communication during humanitarian missions when translators are unavailable. This study found that 79% of medical pictograms achieved the required 85% congruence, suggesting their validity for cross-cultural medical interactions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Humanitarian Aid
- International Health
Background:
- Pacific Partnership deployments provide humanitarian and disaster relief training.
- Effective communication is a challenge due to translator shortages and inadequate medical terminology training.
- Disasters can further exacerbate translator unavailability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of pictograms as an alternative communication method in medical settings.
- To determine if pictograms meet the American National Standards Institute's 85% congruence level for clear interpretation.
Main Methods:
- 36 medical pictograms were assessed for interpretation by English-speaking physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
- Three images were repeated to ensure the internal validity of the interpretation questionnaire.
- Congruence levels were calculated to measure understanding of pictogram meaning.
Main Results:
- 26 out of 33 distinct images (79%) achieved the 85% congruence benchmark.
- The study assessed the validity of images for representing common medical maladies.
- Internal validity was confirmed through repeated image presentation.
Conclusions:
- Validated medical pictograms show potential as an effective communication tool.
- Pictograms can bridge language barriers between medical providers and patients in discordant language situations.
- This method offers a viable alternative when traditional translation services are insufficient.
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