"Gender matters": the development of infographics to raise awareness and promote gender-transformative care in traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: To develop a series of infographics providing persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their circle of care with evidence-based information on sex and gender topics in TBI.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We employed an iterative participatory design engaging knowledge users, scientists, and experts in brain injury and patient education. To inform infographic content, we conducted an information needs assessment with knowledge users through semi-structured interviews and referred to our previously published evidence syntheses on TBI topics. We followed principles of graphic design and science communication to create materials reflecting lived experiences of knowledge users.

RESULTS

We created a series of infographics with actionable messages and visual representations of evidence-based information. We achieved a Flesch Reading-Ease score of 60.1, corresponding to a Grade 7/8 reading level. The infographics met the color contrast criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Knowledge users found the material useful, visually appealing, and helpful in understanding complex topics.

CONCLUSIONS

There is value in merging art and science to develop educational materials that meet the unique information needs of knowledge users. Iterative participatory design engaging diverse stakeholders is essential for co-creating knowledge translation tools to improve access to health information and quality of care after TBI.