In my research, I explored how interactive visualizations can support colorectal cancer patients in making treatment decisions. Recognizing that patients often struggle with understanding complex statistical data — especially when facing life-impacting choices like chemotherapy — the study examined whether visual formats such as interactive icon arrays and bar charts could help communicate potential risks and side effects more effectively.

The research involved an online experiment with 195 participants from diverse backgrounds, recruited via Mechanical Turk. Participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario of being diagnosed with stage II colorectal cancer and had to consider whether to undergo chemotherapy based on interactive visualizations that depicted possible side effects and outcomes. Six different types of visualizations, ranging from simple bar charts to animated icons, were compared.

The findings revealed that while graph literacy — the ability to understand information in graphs — positively influenced both risk estimation and decision-making confidence, the type of visualization (icon arrays vs. bar charts) did not significantly impact comprehension, confidence, or risk estimation. In other words, patients with higher graph literacy benefited equally from both visualization types.

Interestingly, the research showed that carefully designed interactive tools, regardless of format, can make statistical information more accessible. The consistent design principles, intuitive tooltips, and use of absolute numbers across all visualizations ensured participants could engage with the data effectively. This highlights the importance of clear design and visual storytelling in healthcare communication.

Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing field of digital health design by providing practical insights into how product designers can craft decision aids. It underscores that while interactive visuals are valuable, designers should prioritize simplicity, clarity, and user literacy levels to truly empower patients in making informed treatment decisions.