The principles of writing patient information

Learning outcomes

This guideline should assist nurses to understand the principles of writing for patients and to understand the importance of providing appropriate information for patients.

Background

Healthcare professionals have a key role in providing patient information.  Health education is a way of enabling or empowering patients to make informed health choices and decisions.  These may be right or wrong, but should be their decision to make after consideration of information received.

There is increasing evidence to show that patients benefit from being well informed.  Numerous changes have taken place in the National Health Service (NHS) on the topic of public involvement, and specifically regarding patient information.  Following recommendations in the NHS Plan (2000) patient and public involvement in health care has grown rapidly.  The majority of NHS organisations throughout the United Kingdom now have a mandate to involve the public in the way that they operate.

There are some points to consider before starting producing patient information. 

• Consistency of information across organisations is important
•  establish local policy on producing patient information
• Legal issues need to be considered as information producers may be liable in law for the consequences of the information they produce
• Methods that can protect against negligence claims include quoting the source of good practice guidelines, inserting disclaimers and checking your organisations insurance cover
• Copyright and confidentiality also need to be considered and permission obtained before information is published 

It is essential to plan the information package and be very clear about aims and objectives.  The content of the information package, timescales for the project, personnel to be involved, distribution and evaluation of information need to be considered at the planning stage.