Engaging Patients With Advance Directives Using an Information Visualization Approach

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Medical Informatics
• Patient Education

Background:

• Advance directives (AD) offer significant benefits to patients and healthcare providers.
• However, low patient awareness frequently impedes the completion of ADs.
• This gap highlights a need for improved methods in disseminating AD information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the development and utilization of an innovative information visualization (infovisual) tool.
• To enhance the dissemination and engagement with advance directives (AD).
• To promote patient awareness and facilitate end-of-life (EOL) discussions.

Main Methods:

• Proposes the creation of an information visualization (infovisual) as a health communication tool.
• The infovisual aims to visually represent options and insights related to end-of-life care.
• Focuses on leveraging visual examples to enhance understanding and encourage conversation.

Main Results:

• Infovisuals can powerfully communicate complex EOL care options by example.
• They can foster vivid understanding and inspire crucial conversations among patients, families, and providers.
• Potential to increase AD awareness and engagement, leading to better EOL planning.

Conclusions:

• Information visualization (infovisual) tools offer a novel approach to improving AD completion rates.
• These tools can empower patients to explore EOL options and engage in meaningful discussions.
• Implementing infovisuals can streamline clinician explanations and support well-planned end-of-life journeys.