Output details

Visualizing the invisible: applying an arts-based methodology to explore how healthcare workers and patient representatives envisage pathogens in the context of healthcare associated infections

This article describes the context, methodology and analysis underpinning a two-year AHRC /SFC research project (90K) addressing invisible pathogens in a ward setting to support NHS staff in the prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI). Hackett was selected because of previous experience of developing an arts methodology in focus groups (Hackett, 2). As the sole visual artist-researcher within a multi disciplinary team including nursing, microbiology and design, Hackett worked with Macduff, lead, articulating Hackett’s visual methodology of work with staff to visualise pathogens in order to understand how they spread. They set out to inform changing behaviours within a medical environment, addressing a neglected issue within epidemiology research.

The methodology was informed by Harrow et al and their idea that ‘seeing is understanding’ where women made models of cancers (2008).

Hackett supported 1. Photo-elicitation http://www.visinvis.org/data-gathered-during-workshop-activity-1a/b by guiding nurses and domestic staff to identify high and low risk pathogen sites in the ward across two times of day with coloured dots and notate their related thoughts 2. Modelling http://visinvis.org/data-gathered-during-activity-2 in which Hackett engaged the research participants in imagining and making an invisible pathogen using a tool kit. The models were used to identify metaphors and discuss perceptions of pathogen spread, life cycle and attributes in a ward setting. Two focus groups of 24 participants took place. The resulting research data then informed three visual animations as tools to be used by ward staff. The research and outcomes were presented to infection specialists where Hackett’s input was to run workshops using storyboards to visualise scenarios on how HAI and animation may be used.

Visinvis partners include Robert Gordon University, Glasgow School of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire. The final report (http://www.visinvis.org/project-outputs) informs teaching tools for ward staff (Borders NHS).