Exploring the Role of Pictograms in the Comprehension of Pain

Introduction: Pain is both difficult to see and to articulate and this is challenging for both patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to develop and test pictograms to describe different pain qualities. Methods: 22 pictograms were developed for evaluation based on pain qualities of the s...

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Published inJournal of pain research Vol. 16; pp. 3251 - 3263
Main Authors Merks, Piotr, Vaillancourt, Regis, Dulai, Irene, Lamontagne, Gloria, Pinkas, Jaroslaw, Religioni, Urszula, Swietlik, Dariusz, Kazmierczak, Justyna, Blicharska, Eliza, Zender, Mike, Cameron, Jameason
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Dove Medical Press Limited 30.09.2023
Dove
Dove Medical Press
Subjects
health literacy
Original Research
pain
pain comprehension
pictograms
sf-mpq-2
Poland
Canada
United Kingdom
North America
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Summary:Introduction: Pain is both difficult to see and to articulate and this is challenging for both patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to develop and test pictograms to describe different pain qualities. Methods: 22 pictograms were developed for evaluation based on pain qualities of the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire, version 2 (SF-MPQ-2). An online matching survey was conducted and disseminated via social media in 2021. Results: An overall matching of 66% or higher between pictogram and pain qualities descriptors was considered a proper matching. This study was carried out internationally (males = 57, age=41y.o. [+ or -]16; females = 155, age=41y.o.[+ or -]17) and in Poland (males=49, age = 35y.o.[+ or -]17; females = 164, age=35y.o.[+ or -]16). There were 14 pictograms that did not achieve 66% matching in any country. 8 pictograms mutually in all subgroups achieved a matching score of [greater than or equal to]66% regardless of geographic location, sex, income, or education level. Discussion and Conclusions: These 8 pictograms can be used clinically once they have been redrawn to improve consistency, and future research in the design of pictograms representing pain qualities of the SF-MPQ-2 should focus on design improvements for the remaining 14 pain qualities with poor comprehensibility. Keywords: pain, pictograms, health literacy, SF-MPQ-2, pain comprehension
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ISSN:1178-7090
1178-7090
DOI:10.2147/JPR.S421035