title: Producing patient-avatar identification in animation video information on spinal anesthesia by different narrative strategies.
abstract: Visual approaches to health information reduce complexity and may bridge challenges in health literacy. But the mechanisms and meanings of using animated video in communication with patients undergoing surgery are not well described. By comparing two versions of a two-dimensional animated video on spinal anesthesia, this study tested the patient-avatar identification within two different narrative models. To explore the perspectives of total hip arthroplasty, we employed qualitative methods of interviews and ethnographic observation. The animated presentation of the spinal anesthesia procedure was immediately recognized by all participants as reflecting their experience of the procedure independent of the narrative form. The avatar gender did not affect this identification. We found no preference for either narrative form. This study supports the potential of animation video in health informatics as a didactic model for qualifying patient behavior. Animation video creates a high degree of identification that may work to reduce pre-surgical anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Denmark methoy@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Mette Terp
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Høybye
authors.affiliation: University of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vesterby
authors.affiliation: Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Denmark; University of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lene Bastrup
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001178:Arthroplasty; D002359:Cartoons as Topic / Q000523:psychology*; D057220:Health Literacy; D006615:Hip / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014743:Videotape Recording
keywords: animation video; avatar; consumer health information; health care service and IT; modeling health care services; secondary care