An Illustration is Worth Ten Thousand Words: An Extraordinary Approach to Presenting Information Through Infographics.

Abstract

Introduction: Infographics summarise concepts visually for quick reference. Four infographics, inspired by articles on simulation-based education for ophthalmologists, were created to simplify complex ideas. The study evaluated the infographics' effectiveness aligning with published recommendations to make simulation education user-friendly and practical, supporting busy ophthalmologist educators in designing and facilitating simulation training sessions.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the infographics created by the second author, focussing on their quality, visual appeal, and effectiveness in conveying the key messages to be used for microlearning and Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT). An evidence-based electronic questionnaire was used to evaluate design principles of effective infographics. The same questions concerning each infographic were presented to ophthalmologist educators and graphic designers.

Results: Feedback informed recommendations for infographics to define a target audience, highlight the heading, and ensure a clear narrative with an identifiable key message. Content should simplify complex concepts and be applicable to teaching. Include accessible references, limited colours and fonts, and logical alignment prioritising key elements. Use simple imagery and effective charts. Add a digital object identifier (DOI) for citation and discovery. Infographics can be shared via journals and social media, or used as Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) tools to support professional development and simulation teaching preparation.

Conclusion: Effectively designed infographics as pragmatic focused graphic storytelling tools can support clinical educators in their daily simulation-based teaching activities and JiTT. This article provides tips on designing infographics for this purpose.