The aim of the present study was to assess the mental images associated with different categories of patient medical information, depending on literacy level. 52 participants divided into two groups (high vs. low literacy) were asked to draw the first picture that came to mind after reading or hearing information taken from leaflets supplied with medication. There were 16 items of information in total. The drawings were analysed using a symbolism grid. Results suggest that each group produced specific visual representations of the information items. Participants in the high-literacy group tended to draw symbolic forms to illustrate the medical information, while those in the low-literacy one mainly produced concrete forms. Each group had its own set of canonical forms. These findings underscore the need to use health pictograms in medical practice, providing they correspond to the social representations of individuals with low literacy, to ensure optimum treatment adherence and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.

本研究的目的是评估与不同类别的患者医疗信息相关的心理图像，这取决于识字水平。52 名参与者被分为两组（高文化水平和低文化水平），他们被要求画出在阅读或听到从随药物提供的传单中获取的信息后想到的第一幅图画。总共有16条信息。使用象征主义网格分析图纸。结果表明，每个小组都制作了信息项的特定视觉表示。高识字组的参与者倾向于绘制符号形式来说明医学信息，而低识字组的参与者则主要绘制具体的图形。每个组都有自己的一套规范形式。这些发现强调了在医疗实践中使用健康象形图的必要性，