Why Shed the Shield?
Preceptor
Dr. M. Mahesh
Faculty Advisor
Lydia Gregg
YEAR
2024
MEDIA
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop,
After Effects
DESCRIPTION
Gonadal shielding, or placing a protective barrier between patients and a source of radiation to reduce exposure to the gonads, has long been a standard practice in diagnostic imaging. However, advances in technology and new evidence regarding radiation exposure have led the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and other organizations to recommend discontinuation of gonadal shielding. In response, medical facilities nationwide have begun to adopt “no-shield policies,” including the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2023.
The burden of implementing this significant policy shift falls on radiology technologists (RT), who must mediate conversations with patients and caregivers during exams. This thesis project investigated the use of video narrative to convey the scientific rationale behind no-shield policies in an educational campaign for RTs.
Storyboards
Storyboards were created in Procreate to define the visual content, movement, and overall flow of the animation. Storyboards were revised based on preceptor, advisor, and test audience feedback. Full storyboard available at Jscholarship upon thesis publication.
Style & Asset Creation
Artwork was created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Assets for the animation include models for the technologist characters, background art of the hospital setting, and vector illustrations for the scientific content.
