Not all patient pamphlets need illustrations
The goal of a patient pamphlet is to ensure that patients understand the medical issue they are facing, and the instructions provided by their clinician. As a content creator, you may wish to add illustrations to your pamphlet to enhance patient understanding. For example, a pamphlet on tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may include a diagram of the head with the adenoids, tonsils, and lingual tonsils labelled. A pamphlet on hip surgery may include a diagram of the structure of the hip.
Illustrations should not be used if they are not critical to enhancing patient learning
Illustrations should not be included:
- to make a pamphlet look attractive or 'flashy'
- if you do not have copyright permission to use the illustrations (Learn more about image copyright.)
- if the illustrations were chosen without consideration of diversity and/or inclusion
- if you do not have high resolution image files (e.g. greater than 300 pixels per inch or a JPEG with a file size of around 1 to 1.5 MB)
When in doubt, keep it simple! Illustrations can be both helpful and distracting. When illustrations are done poorly, they can lead to patient confusion.
If including illustrations is critical to enhance patient learning, you will need to decide whether you would like the pamphlet to be printed in black and white or in colour. The front and back covers (the ‘shell’) of all Nova Scotia Health pamphlets printed at the Print Shop include coloured branding. However, you may choose to have the rest of your content, including any extra images or logos added to the cover, printed in black and white or colour.
The Patient Education Team can only send one version of a pamphlet to the Print Shop, either black and white or colour. Please take time to decide whether the content of your pamphlet (including added images or logos on the cover) needs to be printed in colour, since this may significantly increase the cost per copy. Selecting colour also means that if you want black and white copies in the future, you will need to specifically request this from the Print Shop. Remember, you can request a quote from the Print Shop before placing your order.
If you have any questions about creating patient pamphlets, please visit the Content Creator Toolkit. You can also reach out to the Patient Education Team or to Library Services, or book a consult with one of our team members. We're here to support you throughout the process!
Reference:
Collier R. (2011). Educating patients with pictures. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(15), E1094. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.109-3967
Jackie Zoppa
Library Technician, Patient Pamphlets
Nova Scotia Hospital, Central Zone