A6: How to make data count when it comes to engaging people

Tuesday 21 June 2022 | 11:00-12:15

Format: Workshop
Stream: Improvement methods
Content filters: Features discussion of improvement methodology, Recommended for those new to quality improvement

Data visualisations that are overwhelmingly busy or very technical prevent the dialogue between presenter and audience and reduce the ability to effectively convey information. Understanding how the human brain processes visual information helps to effectively communicate, facilitate dialogue, and encourage engagement with different stakeholders. During this session, we will demonstrate the principles of visual perception, understand some cognitive biases and show how to apply them in the context of improvement.

After this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of how humans process visual information and how it relates to creating engagement


• Understand how cognitive overload triggered by a ‘too busy’ data representation reduces the probability that the audience understands the message to be conveyed (and how to avoid that)


• Gain insight into the core principles of data representation in the context of different stakeholders and ‘people styles at work’

John Boulton, Improvement Cymru, Public Health Wales; Wales

Doris Behrens, University for Continuing Education Krems; Austria / Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Wales