CASE STUDY
Explaining How a Drug Works
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Patients told us it was important to them to understand how a medicine works inside their bodies. We learned that narrative is a powerful way to explain the detailed science.
Our Challenge
We wanted to explain how the medicine works in the body.
Because the medicine works in a complex way that involves the immune system, we also needed to explain how the drug interacts with the body’s immune response. Our goal was to give patients a clear, big-picture view—without overwhelming them with too much scientific detail.
Collaborating to apply upl
We worked with patients to Co-create a clearer explanation.
In this collaboration, we worked directly with patients to Co-create how the medicine works in the body. We used existing materials as examples for patients to react to, so we could understand where UPL needed to be applied. We asked what felt confusing, which parts were hard to understand, and how we could simplify. We then combined their suggestions and the opportunities they identified to build clearer content.
Our Output
We focused on what mattered most to patients—the T cell.
The new UPL version of drug safety information is much more visual. We focused on using icons and white space, as well as simpler language. We also added more information based on what patients told us was important to them. The UPL version shares how often side effects were observed in clinical trials, and provides more details on how to take the medicine.
Use Plain Language
We defined scientific terminology so patients could connect more easily with the content.
Enable Patient Learning
Many patients were already familiar with a T cell.
However, there were other terms that patients found hard to understand, so we emphasized this known terminology.
Patients told us that including a picture of the inflamed joint helped them to understand where the immune response was happening in the body.
Communicate Visually
Patients suggested we use a visual that looks like cell phone signals to help them understand the idea of parts of the immune system signaling other parts.
Use Color with Purpose
We used color to support understanding—pairing colors with terms to strengthen word-image connections, and using red to represent inflammatory cells so patients could connect it to symptoms they may experience.