Impact of graphic format on perception of change in biological data: Implications for health monitoring in conditions such as asthma

Jansen, J; McCaffery, KJ; Hayen, A; Ma, D; Reddel, HK

Impact of graphic format on perception of change in biological data: Implications for health monitoring in conditions such as asthma

Jansen, J McCaffery, KJ Hayen, A

Ma, D Reddel, HK

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 2012, 21 (1), pp. 94 - 100
Issue Date:: 2012-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Jansen, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	McCaffery, KJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hayen, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4046-8030	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ma, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Reddel, HK	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 2012, 21 (1), pp. 94 - 100	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1471-4418	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115122
dc.description.abstract	Background: Variation in graphic format can substantially influence interpretation of data. Despite a large body of literature on the optimal design of graphs, little attention has been paid to the format of charts for health monitoring. Aims: This study assessed the effect of aspect ratio (x:y ratio) and interconnecting lines on visual identification of change in biological data, such as during asthma exacerbations. Methods: Eighty volunteers viewed 72 sets of six consecutive blocks of unidentified biological data, recording if each block of data was increasing, decreasing, or the same as the previous block. Three chart aspect ratios were examined (A, 5.2:1; B, 3.0:1; C, 1.1:1), with or without lines between data points. Datasets from lung function monitoring by asthma patients included a mild/moderate/severe fall ('exacerbation') or no exacerbation. False negative (missing true exacerbations) and false positive (identifying non-existent exacerbations) responses were calculated. Results: 84% of exacerbation blocks were correctly identified. There was a significant interaction between exacerbation severity and aspect ratio (p=0.0048). The most compressed chart (C) had the fewest false negative responses. Moderate falls were missed in 24%, 12%, and 5% of trials on charts A, B, and C, respectively (C vs A: adjusted relative risk 0.19 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.30)). False positive responses were infrequent (A, 2.5%; B, 3.8%; C, 8.3%), increasing slightly if data points were joined with lines (4.3% vs 5.1%, p=0.004). Conclusions: Compressed charts can improve the visual detection of change in biological data by up to 80%. The aspect ratio of charts should be standardised to facilitate clinical pattern recognition. © 2012 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Primary Care Respiratory Journal	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.4104/pcrj.2012.00004	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Respiratory System	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Asthma	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Peak Expiratory Flow Rate	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pattern Recognition, Visual	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Visual Perception	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Computer Graphics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.title	Impact of graphic format on perception of change in biological data: Implications for health monitoring in conditions such as asthma	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	21	en_US
utslib.for	111706 Epidemiology	en_US
utslib.for	1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	21	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Variation in graphic format can substantially influence interpretation of data. Despite a large body of literature on the optimal design of graphs, little attention has been paid to the format of charts for health monitoring. Aims: This study assessed the effect of aspect ratio (x:y ratio) and interconnecting lines on visual identification of change in biological data, such as during asthma exacerbations. Methods: Eighty volunteers viewed 72 sets of six consecutive blocks of unidentified biological data, recording if each block of data was increasing, decreasing, or the same as the previous block. Three chart aspect ratios were examined (A, 5.2:1; B, 3.0:1; C, 1.1:1), with or without lines between data points. Datasets from lung function monitoring by asthma patients included a mild/moderate/severe fall ('exacerbation') or no exacerbation. False negative (missing true exacerbations) and false positive (identifying non-existent exacerbations) responses were calculated. Results: 84% of exacerbation blocks were correctly identified. There was a significant interaction between exacerbation severity and aspect ratio (p=0.0048). The most compressed chart (C) had the fewest false negative responses. Moderate falls were missed in 24%, 12%, and 5% of trials on charts A, B, and C, respectively (C vs A: adjusted relative risk 0.19 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.30)). False positive responses were infrequent (A, 2.5%; B, 3.8%; C, 8.3%), increasing slightly if data points were joined with lines (4.3% vs 5.1%, p=0.004). Conclusions: Compressed charts can improve the visual detection of change in biological data by up to 80%. The aspect ratio of charts should be standardised to facilitate clinical pattern recognition. © 2012 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115122