Project Background
The Director of Johnson County Public Health initiated this project after noticing the success of a dental diversity project displayed at the iSmile clinic. They wanted something similar for the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinic to address challenges in patient engagement, particularly among people of color and immigrants. Patients often did not return after their initial appointment, potentially due to a lack of representation and belonging.
The project aimed to create educational materials that not only featured diverse representations but also broke down language barriers and addressed low health literacy levels. The ultimate goal was to empower patients with foundational knowledge about their bodies and improve follow-up care rates.
Increase patient follow-up
- Diversity and Representation Issues: Patients felt alienated by the lack of diversity among clinic staff and materials.
- Language Barriers: Many patients spoke Spanish, French, or Swahili, which made effective communication difficult.
- Low Health Literacy: Complex medical concepts were hard for patients to understand and apply.
- Initial Scope: The project started as a request for posters, which limited the ability to address deeper issues.
Breaking down language barriers
Expanded Scope:
- After consulting with clinic staff, the project evolved from creating posters to developing interactive binders for patient-provider use.
Design Elements:
- Inclusivity: Featured diverse representations, including illustrations of Black and Brown individuals.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Added hair wraps to anatomical illustrations to respect devout Muslim women and others who might feel uncomfortable with bare bodies.
- Accessibility: Pages were designed for office printers, ensuring usability with standard letter-sized paper. Vibrant, saturated, and high-contrast colors were used to maintain clarity, even in black-and-white prints.
Translation Efforts:
- Translated materials into Spanish, French, and Swahili using a combination of Google Translate, personal knowledge, and public health white papers. This ensured foundational accuracy while keeping an open invitation for feedback on improvements.
Content Development:
- Focused on foundational knowledge about anatomy and pregnancy to empower patients to communicate and self-advocate effectively.
Increase in patient follow-ups
- Adaptability is Key: Starting with posters and transitioning to binders ensured the project addressed the clinic's deeper challenges.
- Inclusive Design Matters: Representation and cultural sensitivity can profoundly impact patient engagement.
- Simplicity Drives Accessibility: Designing for standard office printers and translating materials broadened usability.
- Feedback Loops Are Vital: Open invitations for translation corrections foster trust and continuous improvement.