The Role of Data Visualization Tools in Presenting Medical and Record Information Effectively

Abstract

As patients are receiving their own health data more often and in larger amounts, visualizations are generating enthusiasm for their ability to help patients understand the information. It is crucial to assess these representations to guarantee that patients can comprehend and, when suitable, take action based on health data in a secure and efficient way. The aim of this systematic study was to assess and analyze the current status of patient-facing representations of personal health data. We conducted a thorough search on five reputable academic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ACM Digital Library (Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library), and IEEE Computational Index (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computational Index). We included English-language papers that created or examined patient-oriented visual representations for personal health information. The results of the article indicated that a greater proportion of patients were able to comprehend number lines and bar graphs as opposed to line graphs. Additionally, it was shown that the use of color was useful in conveying danger, enhancing understanding, and boosting confidence in interpretation. This review provides a concise overview of the many kinds and components of visuals that are directly accessible to patients. Additionally, it outlines the different approaches used in the production and assessment of these visualizations, as described in the examined publications. In addition, we provide suggestions for future research on the collection and presentation of data, exploration of clinically significant thresholds for various kinds of data, and use of data science techniques. This effort will be crucially significant as the use of patient portals and mobile devices for accessing personal health data continues to increase.