Author: Stefanie Doebl – Epidemiology Group, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Research stories have the potential to enable real change in people, organisations and society. Many researchers aspire to create a powerful impact through their work. However, it can be a daunting task to tell an inspiring story. The speaker of this presentation shows her unique approach to this challenge.

Being based in an interdisciplinary health services research team, she focuses on patients affected by fibromyalgia, a long-term pain condition, and their experiences interacting with the healthcare system. She had to ask herself how she as a researcher could communicate patient healthcare journeys in a way that would allow her to include both quantitative and qualitative data as well as would leave a long-lasting impression on different audiences.

This visual presentation showcases the speaker’s winning entry for a research competition which challenged doctoral students to describe their research in a self-created, single image and maximum 100 words. For the single image, the speaker overlaid an original photograph with over 40 doodles (simple drawings) in a photo editing software. The doodles, which were hand drawn by the speaker, were purposefully arranged to communicate patients’ symptoms and their experiences with the healthcare system. They also demonstrated how these patient stories can be used to improve healthcare delivery for people with fibromyalgia. For the text, the speaker applied a creative writing style to describe her research succinctly.

Researchers have many opportunities to tell powerful stories. However, different approaches are needed to communicate patient experiences of health and healthcare, creating an impact which will lead to change.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Transformation

Author: Stefanie Doebl – Epidemiology Group, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Health services research teams investigate how best to deliver healthcare and improve people’s wellbeing. This often complex, interdisciplinary research can be challenging to communicate to patients, healthcare workers and policy makers alike. Using a creative approach such as doodles (simple drawings) can be one successful communication strategy.

In this presentation, the speaker shares her experiences of using self-created doodles to communicate her research about a life-changing, chronic pain condition to different audiences. An overview is provided about the reasons for using the approach as well as its benefits and challenges. Examples from two recent public engagement activities (a PowerPoint presentation in a pub and an interactive talk while standing on a raised platform in an outdoor public space) are included. Feedback from several audience members accompany the examples. Further, the speaker suggests that doodles can be used to communicate scientific findings beyond the field of health services research.

Doodles offer a unique opportunity for opening a conversation about research and its connection to people’s lives. The approach is relatively easy to learn for researchers, while audiences are able to access science in a more engaging and understandable way. It also promises to be more fun for everyone.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation