Neurology

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Neurologist, Neurological Department, Department of Neurology, Neurology Ward, Neuro Medical Ward

Category

Public Services, Public Facilities, Health Care, Clinical Facilities

Message / Function

To indicate the location of a clinical facility that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves)

	Source	Description
50	Hablamos Juntos	Two human figures, one in side view, sitting, innervation and brain indicated, the other in front view, standing, with stethoscope, holding hammer
	Dumbar-WH	Frontal view of human figure, innervation indicated
50	Hablamos Juntos	Frontal view of upper part of human body, brain and innervation indicated
	Dreyfuss	Side view of upper part of human body in outline, innervation indicated
	SEGD/HJ	Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
90	Hablamos Juntos	Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
	D'source	Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
	SIS	Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
50	Hablamos Juntos	Frontal view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
60	Hablamos Juntos	Section of brain and spinal cord, stylized
	The Icon Z	Side view of brain, stylized
	CNIS	Stethoscope, side view of head, nerv cell superimposed
	Aicher OAP	Hand in plan view with lines and dots indicating innervation
	NYCHHC	Structure made up of many parallel lines starting at 45° angle, with horizontal parts, partially connected and ending in dots
	Barudak Lier	Reflex hammer

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

The examples shown above are a selection from the range of pictograms and symbols available to indicate the location of a clinical facility that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. While side views of a head with an indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord can be found often, there are several other concepts in use, mostly attempting to illustrate aspects of innervation in some way. Furthermore renderings of medical instruments like a reflex hammer, also in the hands of a human figure, are image contents used. The abstract symbol of the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (NYCHHC) was an early initiative to create a visual representation of this medical specialization.

We found only two studies that present research covering pictogram variants for this referent:

Hablamos Juntos in partnership with SEGD (the Society for Environmental Graphic Design) developed several test designs to signify Neurology, of which five pictograms were subjected to a test on basis of the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure (Fontaine et al., 2010). With median scores ranging from 90 down to 50 only one of the pictograms examined was judged as excellently comprehensible. The numbers next to the pictograms in the table above are the median estimation scores reported for the corresponding pictograms in this study. Regarding these results a new variant was designed, which is labeled as SEGD/HJ above.

In a follow up project this symbol was examined - among others - by Zender & Cassedy (2014) using the ISO/ANSI Open-ended Comprehension Test to find out if this variant is understood just as well in a different culture, and if not, why it does not work. Test results from the United States and Tanzania reveal that this pictogram basically might work to a certain extent in the USA, as 71 % of the responses from the American sample could be classified as correct. But among typical local patients in the Tanzanian sample this variant did not work well, as only 50 % answered correctly. For local respondents with advanced medical literacy a score of 80 % correct was registered.

In our database we did not find comprehensibility data concerning some other image contents shown, as for example most graphical symbols displayed at the end of the table above.

Recommendations

Due to the fact that data from research is insufficient, we recommend testing using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending the best pictogram. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. Also information concerning knowledge about this medical specialization should be collected at the end of the test, as studies suggest that many terms used for healthcare facilities are often not understood well by people visiting hospitals or related institutions.

Tests of pictograms of referent Neurology

Fontaine, L., Fernández, O., & Middleton, D. (2010): Universal Symbols in Health Care - Symbol Design Research Report. SEGD.

Zender, M., & Cassedy, A.E. (2014): (Mis)understanding: Icon Comprehension in Different Cultural Contexts. Visible Language, 48, 69.