The power of infographics in healthcare: types, design, and examples

With so much data to share in the healthcare industry, it is vital to communicate complex information to a wide range of audiences. However, it can be challenging to keep your audience engaged and informed. And that’s where infographics come into play.

Infographics are visual representations of data, information, or knowledge that use elements such as charts, graphs, icons, images, or text to convey a message or a story. In the healthcare industry, infographics can help to simplify complex or abstract concepts, highlight key facts or statistics, compare or contrast different options or scenarios, show trends or patterns, or to persuade or inspire action.

Using an infographic in the healthcare industry can help:

• Raise awareness and understanding of health issues, diseases, conditions, or treatments
• Promote healthy behaviours and lifestyles that can prevent or reduce the risk of health problems
• Advocate for more research and funding for health causes or initiatives
• Support and empower people who are living with health challenges or caring for someone who has them
• Mobilise and engage stakeholders and partners who can contribute to the improvement of health outcomes and quality of life

What are the benefits of an effective healthcare infographic?

To create an effective healthcare infographic, it is important to define the objective of the communication, gather accurate and relevant data and information, select an appropriate design layout, and choose the appropriate visual elements. By following best practices in infographic design, such as keeping the design simple and using colours and fonts effectively, you can create an infographic that effectively communicates your message.

There are several benefits of using infographics in the healthcare industry. First, they can capture attention and make information more memorable. Infographics can also help communicate complex information in a way that is easily understandable for patients and healthcare professionals, which can improve patient education and empowerment. And lastly, infographics can increase visibility and brand awareness for healthcare companies, as well as establish thought leadership in the industry.

Types of infographics in healthcare

There are many types of infographics that can be used in healthcare depending on the purpose and the audience. Here are some of the most common types of infographics in healthcare:

• Statistical infographics: use charts, graphs, tables, or numbers to present quantitative data or information about a health topic. They can help to show the magnitude, distribution, correlation, or comparison of health indicators or variables. For example, a statistical infographic can show the prevalence, incidence, mortality, morbidity, or risk factors of a disease or condition

• Process infographics: use icons, arrows, steps, or flowcharts to illustrate a sequence of actions or events that are related to a health topic. They can help to explain how something works, how something is done, how something is diagnosed, how something is treated, or how something is prevented. For example, a process infographic can show the stages of a disease progression, the steps of a medical procedure, the phases of a clinical trial, or the guidelines of a health policy

• Comparison infographics: use charts, graphs, tables, icons, or text to compare or contrast two or more options or scenarios that are related to a health topic. They can help to show the similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, pros, cons, or trade-offs of health choices or alternatives. For example, a comparison infographic can show the benefits and risks of different treatment options, the costs and outcomes of different health systems, or the features and functions of different medical devices

• Timeline infographics: use charts, graphs, icons, images, or text to show the chronological order or progression of events or milestones that are related to a health topic. They can help to show the history, evolution, development, or future of health issues, diseases, conditions, treatments, or innovations. For example, a timeline infographic can show the timeline of a pandemic outbreak, the history of a medical discovery, the development of a vaccine, or the forecast of a health trend

• Geographic infographics: use maps, icons, images, or text to show the spatial distribution or location of data or information that are related to a health topic. They can help to show the variation, diversity, disparity, or similarity of health indicators or variables across different regions, countries, or areas. For example, a geographic infographic can show the geographic spread of a disease or condition, the geographic access to health services or resources, or the impact of a health intervention

Design tips for healthcare infographics

Creating effective and engaging infographics in healthcare requires careful planning and design. Here are some tips and best practices:

Define your goal and objective

What do you want to achieve with your infographic? Who do you want to reach and influence? How do you want to measure your success?

Research your topic and data

What are the facts and statistics that you want to share? What are the sources and references that you will use? How will you verify and validate your data?

Choose your type and format

What type of infographic will best suit your purpose and audience? What format will best fit your data and message? How will you balance your visual and textual elements?

Use clear and simple language

How will you communicate your message concisely? How will you avoid jargon, acronyms, or technical terms? How will you use headings, subheadings, labels, captions, or annotations to guide your readers?

Use appropriate and consistent colours

How will you use colours to enhance your visual appeal and readability? How will you use colours to highlight, emphasise, or differentiate your data or information? How will you use colours to match your brand identity or personality?

Use relevant and accurate visuals

How will you use visuals to illustrate your data or information? How will you use visuals to attract attention and interest? How will you use visuals to convey meaning and emotion? How will you ensure that your visuals are accurate and ethical?

Cite your sources and references

How will you acknowledge and credit the sources and references that you have used for your data or information? How will you provide links or contact information for further information or action?

While there are many dos and don’ts of infographic design, here are a few key things to keep in mind when designing healthcare infographics:

Do:

• Choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to your audience
• Use clear and easy-to-understand language
• Use visual elements, such as icons or images, to help convey your message
• Keep the design simple and easy to follow
• Use colours and fonts effectively to make your infographic visually appealing and easy to read

Don’t:

• Overcomplicate your infographic with too much information or too many design elements
• Use jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your audience
• Use colours or fonts that are difficult to read or visually unappealing
• Use images or visual elements that are not relevant to your topic

It’s evident that infographics are a powerful tool for healthcare professionals, and healthcare companies alike, to effectively communicate complex information in a visually appealing and engaging way. By following best practices in infographic design and using examples and tips from this blog, healthcare companies can create infographics that engage their audience and communicate their message in a powerful way.