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Facts and data on pictograms Literature

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
SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Test Design for Pictogram Neurology 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
Smitshuijzen page 341: Pictogram Neurology; Westeinde Hospital by Studio Dunmbar Dumbar-WH Frontal view of human figure, innervation indicated
SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Test Design for Pictogram Neurology 50 Hablamos Juntos Frontal view of upper part of human body, brain and innervation indicated
Dreyfuss page 118: Pictogram Neurology Dreyfuss Side view of upper part of human body in outline, innervation indicated
Hora page 176: SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Design for Pictogram Neurology SEGD/HJ Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Test Design for Pictogram Neurology 90 Hablamos Juntos Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
D'source Pictogram Neurology by Prof. Ravi Poovaiah, India D'source Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
SIS Pictogram PI OI 047: Neurology (Neurologi) SIS Side view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Test Design for Pictogram Neurology 50 Hablamos Juntos Frontal view of head with indicated section showing stylized brain and spinal cord
SEGD / Hablamos Juntos Test Design for Pictogram Neurology 60 Hablamos Juntos Section of brain and spinal cord, stylized
Icon No 5836977: Neurology by The Icon Z (iconfinder.com) The Icon Z Side view of brain, stylized
Hora page 166, CNIS: Pictogram Neurological Department CNIS Stethoscope, side view of head, nerv cell superimposed
Otl Aicher Pictogram No 483: Neurology Aicher OAP Hand in plan view with lines and dots indicating innervation
Herdeg page 35, No 187, New York City Health and Hospital Corporation: Neurology by E. Christopher Klumb & Associates NYCHHC Structure made up of many parallel lines starting at 45° angle, with horizontal parts, partially connected and ending in dots
Icon No 7403946: Neurology by Barudak Lier (Iconfinder) 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.

See also

Hospital, Doctor, Health Care Center

 

Updated 2024-10-07 by Ch.Brugger