I researched some rheumatologic conditions, such as lupus and osteoarthritis. Lupus is an autoimmune condition where your own body’s fighter cells attack the good cells inside you, and osteoarthritis happens when you get older, and your joint cartilage degrades.
Flipbooks are physical animations that trick your eyes into thinking it is a dynamic process that appears realistic. A fun fact about how flipbooks work is that they are flipped fast, so your brain processes the separate images into one flowing image, like an optical illusion. Flipbooks are more appealing than videos because one can have a real-time tactile experience and the fun of flipping it! They can be used for entertainment or educational purposes and still appeal to children in a friendly way.
There are several YouTube videos on how to create flipbooks. I chose to use the official Andymation starter kit for my creation.3 I made the flipbook by stacking cards with my drawings one on top of the other to create a fluid animation that is a hands-on visual experience. I also made it cartoonish so it would attract children’s eyes.
These flipbooks were shared with the patients at my mother’s office. Nearly 95% of patients shared positive feedback. They said that the flipbook would help their children or family members understand their difficulties with the chronic illness.
Some memorable comments were:
- “My grandchildren are always curious about my medical condition.”
- “People at my family gatherings do not understand my condition, and this would be an easy way to share.”
Next time I can use a reliable survey that the family members can respond to from home. It felt good to help patients feel positive and supported through this attempt.
—Aryan
View videos of our initial flipbooks on systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoarthritits below.
Educating the Right Audience
Innovative medical education for teaching or patient care can be transformed into a creative, enjoyable and engaging experience. In a world where such educational methods as generative artificial intelligence, gamification and memefication are gaining significant traction, flipbooks emerge as a dynamic and animated medium for disseminating medical knowledge. We firmly believe that they will serve as a fantastic resource for family members of patients with rheumatic illnesses and beyond.
Family members play a pivotal role in a patient’s journey toward health and well-being. The meaningful engagement offered by a family member—whether a parent, child, grandparent or even someone outside the traditional scope of family, such as a beloved friend—serves to reassure the patient and provide invaluable support.4 This sense of connection makes the patient feel valued and heard, ultimately boosting their self-esteem. Positive, and even neutral, interactions within the family can greatly ease the patient’s passage through their chronic illness. Honest discussions about the patient’s condition among family members foster an environment of open dialogue.5 Through their support and empathy, family members can empower the patient, encouraging them to share their journey more willingly.
