How we approach patient education at Anatomii
Every resource we create is guided by the principles below, because effective patient education makes health equity possible.
Patients need more than readable health information. They need to feel seen, heard, and safe.
Many patient education materials are too hard to understand. A 2025 study found that materials from major health organizations averaged a Grade 10 reading level, well above the recommended Grade 6 target.
But readability is only the beginning. Patient education should help people understand and act on the information. People trust resources that help them feel seen, heard, and safe.
Research shows that pictures can improve patient knowledge in ways that text alone cannot. At Anatomii, we pair clear copy with purposeful visuals to put these principles into practice.
Community-informed design
We understand first, design second.
We conduct in-depth research into the lived experiences and communication needs of the intended audience, including peer-reviewed literature and first-person accounts. When direct engagement is included in the project scope, we can also facilitate trauma-informed advisory sessions with patients, care partners, or community members.
Learn more: Best practices for co-creating patient education | Participatory design in action
Health literacy & accessibility
We design information people can understand and use.
We write to SMOG Grade 6 as the default target for English-language materials intended for adults. We use the PEMAT tool and the CDC Clear Communication Index to guide and review the resource.
For digital work, we apply relevant WCAG 2.2 criteria and requirements from Canada’s ICT Accessibility Standard.
Scientific accuracy
We’re artists trained to communicate science.
Our team holds graduate degrees in biomedical communications. We are trained to translate complex science into accurate visuals. We work directly with your subject matter experts and ground our work in peer-reviewed research.
Learn more: University of Toronto MScBMC Program
Trauma-informed design
We prioritize safety, respect, and agency.
Guided by SAMHSA's trauma-informed principles and Canada’s trauma and violence-informed approaches to policy and practice, we design for safety and agency. We draw on research, client insight, and direct patient engagement when included in the project scope to identify appropriate language and imagery.
Health equity & 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 prioritize patient perspectives, address power imbalances, and hold ourselves accountable to the communities we work with.
Learn more: CDC’s Guiding Principles for Equity-centred Health Communication | BCCDC Public Health Language Guide | BC Cultural Safety and Humility Standard