Marie Curie

Syringe Driver

Understanding Patient Perceptions Around Syringe Drivers

Marie Curie approached us with the challenge of shifting how syringe drivers are perceived. Commonly viewed as a last resort or a symbol of end-of-life care, these devices can cause distress and fear for patients and their families. The aim was to create a short, accessible explainer that demystifies the syringe driver, helping viewers understand its purpose and the process involved in a clear and compassionate way.

Close-up of a nurse adjusting a syringe driver injection site on a patient’s arm, showing professional care and medical support in a home setting.
Marie Curie nurse carefully administering a syringe driver to a patient seated at a kitchen table during a home care visit.

Crafting an Accessible and Reassuring Narrative Through Mixed Media

We collaborated with the Marie Curie team to shape a thoughtful storyboard and script that could speak to a wide audience. The final piece combines live-action footage with animation to explain how syringe drivers work in a sensitive and straightforward way. Animation was particularly effective for illustrating clinical moments—like the use of needles—where visual clarity was needed, but realism may have felt overwhelming. This blended approach helped make a complex topic approachable while maintaining empathy and respect.

Man receiving medication through a syringe driver while reading on a sofa, highlighting home-based palliative care with visible medical equipment in the foreground.
Marie Curie nurse administering syringe driver medication to a patient seated on a sofa in a home setting, with medical equipment placed on a wooden table nearby.