How we approach patient education at Anatomii
Every resource we create is based on these five principles, because effective patient education makes health equity possible.
Visuals improve patient understanding in ways text alone cannot.
Most patient education materials miss the mark. Not because the information is wrong, but because they're often too text-heavy and complicated. Resources from major health organizations average a 10th-grade reading level, leaving 60% of adults struggling to understand them.
But readability isn't enough. Health education that doesn’t address a patient’s health literacy or cultural context leads to errors, poor engagement, and wasted resources.
At Anatomii, we design visuals that transcend language and literacy barriers, making information accessible to patients who are older, stressed, or speak a different language. By pairing narration with imagery, our animations let patients focus on the information instead of struggling to read it.
Participatory design
We listen first, design second.
We facilitate advisory sessions to collaborate and gather feedback based on lived experience. When direct access isn't available, we research patient experiences through forums and peer-reviewed studies.
Learn more: Why participatory design works | Participatory design in action
Health literacy
We design for comprehension.
Scientific accuracy
We’re artists trained to communicate science.
Our team holds graduate degrees in biomedical communications. This expertise enables us to translate complex science into clear, accurate visuals. We work directly with your subject matter experts and ground our work in peer-reviewed research to ensure scientific integrity.
Learn more: University of Toronto MScBMC Program
Trauma-informed design
We prioritize safety, respect, and agency.
Using SAMHSA's trauma-informed principles, we design for choice over coercion, collaboration over authority, and dignity over fear. We identify what imagery and language feel safe and empowering through patient perspectives and research.
Learn more: SAMHSA's trauma-informed principles
Cultural responsiveness
We amplify diverse voices.
We design for inclusivity and diversity, reflecting how different people experience health. This means showing different races, body types, ages, abilities, gender identities and languages. We learn directly from patients, address power imbalances, and hold ourselves accountable to the communities we work with.
Learn more: CLAS Standards | Cultural Safety Definitions