Empowering Patients through Informative Health Posters: Enhancing Understanding and Engagement

Introduction Health literacy has been increasingly recognized as one of the most important social determinants for health. Patient education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to take control of their health and make informed decisions. This abstract highlights the significance of using posters as a means to educate patients, foster understanding, and promote engagement with their own health. Patient health information material, particularly in the form of posters, serves as an effective medium to disseminate valuable knowledge and enhance health literacy. Hence, we advocate the use of posters as we believe information needs to be captured, centralized and connected to patient experience. The incorporation of attractive graphics, illustrations, and infographics helps in creating a lasting impact, enabling patients to retain and recall vital health information. Amongst some of the benefits of posters lie in their versatility of reaching a diverse patient population. Healthcare providers can tailor the content, language, and visuals of the poster to cater to the specific needs and preferences of various demographic groups by considering factors such as cultural background, literacy levels, and health beliefs. Moreover, the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of posters make them an ideal tool for disseminating health information across different settings, including hospitals, clinics, community centres and schools. Methods Our posters (Diagram 1) will be prominently displayed in waiting areas, examination rooms, and public spaces, thereby maximizing their visibility and reach. Additionally, digital versions of posters can be shared through websites, social media platforms, and mobile applications, expanding their potential audience and impact. Our poster design is user-centred design. It utilises plain language, employing intuitive layouts, and employing inclusive imagery, enhance the comprehensibility and accessibility of the information presented. Results In assessing the effectiveness of the poster, we will be conducting a survey by means by of hard copy and soft copy via QR code that will be linked to online questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of patient/relative understanding of the poster and how it impacts their understanding of the treatment being received, in this case, the equipment used in ICU Discussion To conclude, in the era of healthcare digitalisation, posters are part of the conundrum to bridge the gap in healthcare literacy especially in the Asian population. This is an attempt to overcome the familiar paternalistic model of healthcare that is commonplace in the Asia-Pacific region and encourage patient engagement. By leveraging the visual appeal, versatility, and accessibility of posters, healthcare providers can effectively educate patients, bridge communication gaps, and contribute to improved health outcome.