Enhance patient self-care and satisfaction with head and neck cancer health education leaflets with information visualization

Abstract

During radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, between 60% and 95% of patients experience the common side effect of acute and chronic skin reactions. Inadequate comprehension of text-based health education leaflets can lead to insufficient self-care awareness and heightened anxiety during treatment, potentially exacerbating this side effect. This study employed information visualization to transform traditional text-based leaflets into image-based versions, with the aim of improving patients’ understanding of the content and thus enhancing the effectiveness of their self-care. This approach was also intended to boost overall patient awareness and satisfaction with the health education received. The effectiveness of the optimized image-based leaflet was assessed by measuring differences in self-care awareness and satisfaction among patients using the traditional or optimized versions of leaflets. Results from a 14-item self-care awareness assessment form tailored to radiotherapy revealed that patients using the optimized image-based leaflet scored higher on 12 of the items than those using the traditional leaflet. This indicates a significant enhancement in patients’ awareness. Specifically, patients with head and neck cancer were better able to comprehend care instructions before, during, and after radiotherapy, effectively implemented self-care practices, and reported improved satisfaction with the health education received.