Diagnosketch is a one-of-a-kind visual book that helps explain medical diagnoses to a non-medical audience at the bedside. It simplifies human anatomy and pathophysiology into memorable, patient-friendly, understandable images. It intentionally leaves out details that are not clinically relevant and over-emphasizes ones that are.
Created by an ER physician with over 20 years of clinical experience, Diagnosketch covers bread-and-butter diagnoses in acute care: kidney stones, diverticulitis, back pain, gallstones, ovarian cysts, arthritis, and more. It contains over 100 simplified images of diagnoses, procedures, and concepts. Medical professionals use this guide at the bedside to better communicate with patients in various settings, like Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care Clinics. Whether you are a physician trying to explain a complicated medical diagnosis to your patient or a nurse trying to calm a scared child before a procedure, Diagnosketch is the go-to resource for simple, quick, clear explanations.
Diagnosketch trailer (1:24)
The philosophy behind the book
Diagnosketch uses simplified images to illustrate complicated anatomy and concepts. It combines a ‘diagnosis’ with a ‘sketch’ to explain complex medical ideas quickly and clearly.
Research estimates that only 12% of English-speaking adults in the US have proficient health literacy skills. Almost 90% of adults have difficulty understanding written health information. Diagnosketch uses visuals to improve health literacy innovatively.
Diagnosketch relies on the ‘picture superiority effect’: Hearing information leads to 10% retention, but hearing and seeing information leads to 65% retention. Diagnosketch explains complex concepts AND helps patients remember them.
Sample pages
How to use Diagnosketch
Imagine the following scenario
Verbal Explanation
A patient comes to the ER with abdominal pain. You run a blood test, urine test, and an ultrasound and diagnose him with cholecystitis. You explain he needs emergency surgery. He thought it was just food but is now on his way to surgery? He quietly pretends to understand but doesn’t know where his gallbladder is or what it does. He doesn’t even know what questions to ask. Sensing his confusion, you sketch a rough diagram of his anatomy on a paper towel. You want to explain more but feel pressure from the busy waiting room. You leave, knowing you expertly diagnosed his condition but could have communicated better.
Diagnosketch for Bedside Communication
Verbal AND Visual Explanation
Now imagine that same patient, but this time, you use Diagnosketch. You explain both verbally AND visually his gallbladder in relation to other organs. You show him a gallstone and explain how it blocked his biliary tract, causing his pain and infection. He asks relevant questions, and you provide immediate answers, engaging in a two-way dialogue. You relieve his fears and increase his medical knowledge in just a few minutes. You walk out confident in your skills as both a master clinician, but just as importantly, as a master communicator.
More Sample pages
What people are saying
“I use Diagnosketch on every shift, every day. We find this the single most useful and efficient tool at the bedside to help patients understand what is happening to their bodies.”
—Raymond Biersbach, MD, Former Director of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital; ER doctor with 10 years experience
“As a nurse who spends a fair amount of time educating patients and their families, this book is a brilliant idea! It allows me the opportunity to impact patients’ understanding of their disease, and is an excellent resource in triage.”
—Elizabeth Gibb, BSN, RN, Emergency Department Nurse for 41 years at the busiest EDs in New England
“This book is equally as useful to patients as it is to doctors. The illustrations cover the most common diagnoses in the ED and reflect the diversity of patients we see every day. Everyone will find themselves represented here.”
—Thea James, MD, EM Physician; Vice President, Mission; Associate Chief Medical Officer, Boston Medical Center
“I work in a rural outpatient clinic setting and make rough drawings on my own all day for patients on the paper covering the tables or the back of glove boxes. I really enjoy your book; patients find the pictures easy-to-understand and I like how clear they are.”
—Carol Venable, MD of 20+ years, EM/IM Physician, Port Townsend, WA
