PICTOGRAMS: A DOCTOR-PATIENT COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Abstract

Contextualization of the problem: The comprehensibility of medical information should be improved in a population with low functional health literacy, expanding the meaning of information and providing users of the Unified Health System (SUS) with an improvement in their quality of life, based on the dissemination of knowledge. As a strategy to facilitate the acquiescence of health care, good options are the graphic resources called Pictograms, defined as communication instruments that represent, in a simplified way, an idea, object, action or specific concept, composed of simple and easily recognizable visual elements, allowing the transmission of information quickly and universally. Objective: To analyze the use of pictograms as a communication tool between physicians and patients in Primary Health Care (PHC), aiming to improve the understanding of medical guidelines and promote a more humanized, accessible and inclusive care. Activities developed: Integrative Literature Review (RIL) of the descriptive and qualitative type, by direct search on digital platforms, where articles were collected and selected in the period from 2019 to 2024. Results achieved: One of the essential pillars of clinical practice is the doctor-patient relationship, and it is essential to develop a bond that includes technical, human and ethical aspects capable of offering holistic, individual-centered care. To this end, communication skills training, recognized as a core competency, must be improved. The clear visualization of medical information through pictograms empowers patients to actively participate in their health-disease process and strengthens the doctor-patient relationship, promoting personalized and efficient care. A continuous effort is needed to improve these tools, ensuring that they meet the emerging needs of patients and are efficiently integrated into health systems, aiming to maximize the positive impact of these resources on clinical practice, promoting inclusive and qualified care.