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Talking Quality : Guidance for sponsors of consumer reports on health care quality
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Guidance for sponsors of consumer reports on health care quality

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Displaying the Data

Graphs and tables remain the most efficient and practical way to convey a large amount of information, especially comparative information and numbers. Visual presentations are also powerful tools for concisely making points that are hard to put into words. While other modes of communication (such as storytelling) may be more effective for some audiences, we do not yet know how to communicate quality information, and especially comparative data, without graphics.

However, while some consumers prefer a graphic presentation, others regard charts as a foreign language. Either they do not know how to read them, or they simply find the process too burdensome. Moreover, some people who do understand what they are seeing still respond negatively to charts, although that reaction can change once they get oriented. This suggests that you need to make a special effort to make your charts attractive and easy to interpret.[1]

This section offers several guidelines for making your charts as user-friendly as possible:

For related guidance, go to Tips on Designing a Quality Report.

[1] Peters EM, Dieckmann N, Dixon A, Hibbard JH, Mertz CK. Less is More in Presenting Quality Information to Consumers. Medical Care Research and Review 2007. 64(2):169-190.

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