Successfully engaging in a health- or medical-related activity

is a matter of understanding what one needs to do. This

means information used in this context needs to be easy to use.

Accomplishing the goals laid out in the essay will facilitate

understanding and allow for effective use. Thus, successful medical

and health communication are connected to one central concept:

usability. But how to achieve this goal? The answer is through

patient-focused design practices that help mirror the experiences of

patients who are using such materials. This entry overviews such

an approach – which I call patient experience design (PXD) – and

explains why such an approach is central to best health and medical

communication practices.