Book Review: Graphical summaries for medical patients by Edward Tutfte

 


This is a review of 2 articles that can be found here.


Summary

The 2 articles are about summarising patients' data in a graphical format for easy reference and analysis as they can be viewed in sparklines within small multiples. As Tufte explains, the method allows the viewer to be able to see much information about a patient on a single page. The medical summary also appears in Tufte's Visual Explanations pages 110 - 111.


Things I like

1. Demonstration. The writer moves beyond just theory in this case, as he gets his hands dirty by creating a sample/ template/ prototype of his concept to allow readers to see them in action. Although they cannot be considered case study as they are live at the time of the writing, the articles provides insights to readers who seek to redeisgn similar reports in graphs.


Final Verdict: A free and quick read of Tufte's idea on sparklines and small multiple in play normally only found in his books.