Developing, optimizing, and evaluating patient infographics for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Education
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) diagnosis and treatment have advanced, but patient education materials are scarce.
• Patients need accessible information to understand CA and its diagnostic procedures.
• Existing materials may not effectively communicate complex medical information to a broad audience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate patient-centered infographics for cardiac amyloidosis.
• To assess the understandability and effectiveness of plain language educational materials.
• To improve patient comprehension of CA and its diagnostic pathway.

Main Methods:

• Seven plain language infographics were developed using health literacy principles.
• Multilevel stakeholder feedback informed infographic revision.
• A randomized controlled trial with 100 patients compared infographics to standard materials via web-assisted interviews and knowledge assessments.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in knowledge acquisition between infographics and standard materials.
• Infographics were read significantly faster.
• Participants rated infographics higher for appearance and understandability, with over two-thirds preferring them.

Conclusions:

• Infographics can enhance patient learning about complex conditions like cardiac amyloidosis.
• These novel infographics, developed with health literacy best practices, offer a valuable educational tool.
• Patient-centered visual aids may improve understanding for a condition unfamiliar to many adults.