Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and a neglected tropical

disease of the skin (skin NTD). Antibiotic treatments are available but, to be effective in the

absence of surgery, BU must be detected at its earliest stages (an innocuous-looking lump

under the skin) and adherence to prescribed drugs must be high. This study aimed to develop

multisensory medical illustrations of BU to support communication with at-risk communities. We

used a Think Aloud method to explore community health workers’ (n¼6) experiences of BU

with a focus on the role of their five senses, since these non-medical disease experts are familiar

with the day-to-day challenges presented by BU. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified

three key themes relating to ‘Detection,’ ‘Help Seeking,’ and ‘Adherence’ with a transcending

theme ‘Senses as key facilitators of health care’. New medical illustrations, for which we coin the

phrase “5D illustrations” (signifying the contribution of the five senses) were then developed to

reflect these themes. The senses therefore facilitated an enriched narrative enabling the production

of relevant and useful visuals for health communication. The medical artist community

could utilise sensory experiences to create dynamic medical illustrations for use in practice.