Tag: charts and posters

The Best Charts and Models for Patient Education

Patient education, including charts and models, has been proven to increase activation and encourage patients’ involvement in their healthcare.
Posted on by Administrator

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And the world of healthcare is no exception. No matter how clearly you explain a patient’s condition or issue, your words can’t compete with a thorough visual demonstration. Additionally, as care providers seek to drive patient engagement, healthcare educational materials are essential to improve patients’ understanding. In fact, patient education has been proven to increase activation and encourage patients’ involvement in their healthcare. Here are three forms of visual aids that are especially effective in patient education.

Examples of Medical Conditions

Charts and models with examples of the results of medical conditions help patients understand the reality of disease and the very real effects it has on the body. For example, telling a patient they have a high risk for heart disease may sound like an abstract problem. Conversely, showing a patient a chart that explains cardiovascular disease or a model of a diseased heart will assist professionals in communicating the gravity of the situation. These visual examples motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health and abide by their doctor’s recommendations.

Specialized Systems

While generalized healthcare office may display whole-body models or charts, specialist’s offices often choose education materials tailored to the body systems they treat. This provides the opportunity to clearly educate patients on the care and causes of their specific conditions. Models and charts are available for a full range of specific body parts and systems, from spines to eyes, hearts, and feet. In every case, the details and realism of the materials give professionals excellent tools to educate patients.

General Health Practices

For a more passive form of education, many healthcare offices choose to display materials that promote personal health practices and awareness. These include instructions for effective hand-washing, tooth brushing, and CPR. They also may educate patients on the signs of heart attack or stroke or maintaining a healthy diet. More often than not, these materials are not used for intensive patient education, but rather provide a backdrop of information and familiarity with general health principles.

Remember, every patient is different, meaning that the educational materials that are effective will vary in individual cases. Therefore, always assess a patient’s situation, including culture, education, and preferences, before choosing education tools. Additionally, finding the right tools is only part of the equation. Patient education happens most successfully in a quality healthcare relationship. Are you looking for high-quality charts, models, and other materials for patient education in your office? Look no further than AAA Wholesale Company, the best place to find affordable medical equipment. Check out our online catalog to learn more.

The Role of Charts and Posters in Medical Environments

Posted on by Administrator
Photo by Free-Photos on Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/computer-business-typing-keyboard-1149148/
Photo by Free-Photos on Pixabay 

The world of medicine has an abundance of knowledge and practical advice for the general public. Unfortunately, the limited interactions between the two make it difficult to impart all the information there is to share. In order to solve this problem, many medical offices turn to models, posters, and charts in their patient areas. Waiting areas, exam rooms, and consultation rooms are full of diagrams and scale models of different anatomy and disease prevention. However, in the age of the Internet, could it be that digital media is replacing these simple tools? Here’s a look at the role of charts and posters in the medical environment.

Is There a Downside?

First, it’s important to ask if there is a downside to including informative charts and posters in medical environments. Even if there are more effective ways to communicate information, there are no negative consequences to using visual educational materials. Additionally, there are demographics of patients, such as the elderly and those without internet, who may not encounter the information any other way. Some may consider charts and posters outdated. However, they cause no harm and can undoubtedly benefit at least some patients who encounter them.

Posters and Charts Are Effective for Teaching

In 2013, the Health Information and Libraries Journal published a review in which researchers surveyed all known studies on the effectiveness of poster presentations. The common conclusion among the collected studies was that these visual tools are effective “in increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and behavior” when included with other forms of education. While no studies compared charts and posters to different types of training, researchers correlated posters and a marked increase in knowledge transfer of valuable information.

Presentation and Location Are Important

While charts and posters have been shown to be effective, not all visual tools are created equal. For example, a poster that is overly crowded with information or a chart that is complicated and difficult to read will be less likely to assist in education. The previous journal review states it this way: “Although superficial, the graphical design and physical appearance of the poster can determine its success in promoting knowledge transfer.”  Locating posters in a medical environment lends them credence. But it is also essential that the media delivers the information well and in an attractive way. This way, it is sure to grab patients’ attention.

Ultimately, charts and posters are an excellent and inexpensive tool for medical professionals. They are a simple, passive way to pass on vital information to the general public. While the world continues to grow more digital each day, it appears that there is still an essential role for the charts and posters we all know.

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