Finalist
Illustrating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Summary of work
The patient pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is notoriously complex and patient groups frequently highlight barriers to good care. The Illustrating RA project was conceived to help stakeholders visualise the challenges faced by the whole system set alongside the optimum patient pathway.
The output was an engaging annotated illustration based on expert clinical and patient insights. The punchy, accessible and concise language was used to tell the story within the complex illustration, which contrasted the experience of care faced by people living with RA today with the principles and deliverables needed to create a better future. Quotes were used to bring the voice of the patient, the doctor and the commissioner into the piece without seeking to apportion blame or criticism.
The illustration was developed through a facilitated workshop involving patient groups and clinical experts from across RA care. While detailed, the illustration sought to be compelling to all those with a stake in improving RA care as well as people living with RA and their families and carers, drawing them in to allow them to reflect on short, medium- and longer-term reforms needed to deliver better care.
Judges’ comments
Illustrating Rheumatoid Arthritis had a really nice creative approach to the subject, which succeeded in distilling lots of important detail into an infographic.
