Developing Communication Support Material for Sharing Information with Patients Undergoing an¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT Examination

Our aim was to develop communication support material for information sharing related to an ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination. <b>Methods:</b> The study had a qualitative design adapting a multiphase structure. A prototype of communication support material consisting of illustrations and text related to an ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination was developed. Interviews were conducted with patients scheduled for an ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination for the first time, and questionnaires were collected from health care professionals with experience in ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. The communication support material was revised until consensus was reached about it. <b>Results:</b> The results are based on interviews with patients (<i>n</i> = 10) and questionnaires collected from health care professionals (<i>n</i> = 9). The overall theme revealed that patient information about an ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination is a balancing act between text and illustrations. The analysis showed 2 categories: "illustrations as a complement" and "easy-to-understand layout." <b>Conclusion:</b> The participants strengthened the development of the communication support material by bringing in valuable viewpoints from various perspectives. The results support a person-centered approach in which information about an ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination can be adapted to each patient's needs as a balancing act between text and illustrations.