Digitus : a digital tool to aid post diagnosis treatment for children suffering from diabetes

Abstract

How can illustrative and interactive digital art aid in post-diagnosis treatment for children suffering from diabetes? This dissertation focuses on post-treatment and the educational stages of diabetes. It explores the merging of digital illustrations with the medical field by an online application and endeavours to shed light on the importance of having medical brochures and other documents wherein information is accompanied by appropriate images and illustrations (Lühnen et al., 2018). It has been purported that such combination of pictorial and textual information further eases comprehension and memory recollection of what is presented (Hill, 2016). This project ‘Digitus’ focuses on the use of digital illustration, and thereby print-based brochures were side-lined. Vector Graphic software was used for characters, icons and specialised software to create the online application and forms focusing on aiding post-diagnosis treatment with this online tool. This project will then be presented and demonstrated in a physical exhibition where a clinic room will be recreated to give that immersive experience to visitors while experiencing this online app called ‘Digitus’. (Saliba, 2021b) A qualitative action research method was used. Five individuals were selected on purpose to give objective feedback about this project due to their studies, careers or experiences. The interviews were carried out on separate days so as to allow participants ample time to familiarise themselves with the app ‘Digitus’. Thus, the research was able to prove by practice and feedback sessions (Appendix C) the hypothesis that a combination of pictorial and textual information is more engaging than the print based documents, formerly presented to diabetic patients (Saliba, 2021a).