Important Information Related To Use Of Patient Handouts
>> Monday, January 13, 2014
Patient handouts play a major role in passing information from the healthcare provider to their clients. They are a fairly easy method of communicating with the masses. Their use has been noted to increase considerably in recent years due to their numerous benefits. If you intend to start using these communication tools, there are a number of important things that you will need to bear in mind. In this article, we will explore some of them.
There are two types of handouts available; the commercially (pre-printed) and those produced locally at the facility. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with of these types. For instance, commercially available materials are readily available and do not require too much work to prepare. They are, however, more expensive. The custom made type allows for better and more accurate communication. The main disadvantage is that they are labour intensive.
When developing your materials, make sure that the interests of the client are well taken care of. The objectives of the process must be clearly understood from the start. Some of the objectives that one may wish to be met include mass education, influencing behaviour change or emphasising on treatment compliance. All these are in turn aimed at improving service delivery to the client. The materials may also be used as a form of advertisement.
There are several factors that determine the type of design that is adopted. This applies for both the commercially available and the locally produced materials. For example materials that are meant for single use will be designed differently from those that are required for frequent reference. Sometimes, the healthcare provider is interested in feedback from the client and provisions for this have to be made. The demographic factors such as age, gender and income have to be taken into account as well.
When choosing the language and style to use in your design, one of the most important considerations is the education level of the clientele. To determine the education levels, some form of research is warranted. If this cannot be done, the simplest design should be adopted so that a majority of the clients understand what is being communicated. Always ensure that the content is up to date and accurate.
The writer must ensure that they use simple and easily understood language. The use of medical jargon should be avoided whenever possible. Any technical terms appearing in the literature must be accompanied by definitions that can be understood by laymen. Active form of speech is recommended as it communicates to the reader directly. The same is the case with the use of second rather than third person.
Using complex and long sentences confuses readers and should be avoided. Instead, simpler and short sentences communicate better. Words with more than 3 syllables are difficult to read and should be kept at a minimum. Once you are satisfied with your content, you can determine the readability by using a sample of clients.
The use of patient handouts greatly helps in educating clients. It is a strategy that has helped reduce the responsibilities of healthcare workers giving them time to deal with other things. They have been found to be particularly useful in preventive medicine.
There are two types of handouts available; the commercially (pre-printed) and those produced locally at the facility. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with of these types. For instance, commercially available materials are readily available and do not require too much work to prepare. They are, however, more expensive. The custom made type allows for better and more accurate communication. The main disadvantage is that they are labour intensive.
When developing your materials, make sure that the interests of the client are well taken care of. The objectives of the process must be clearly understood from the start. Some of the objectives that one may wish to be met include mass education, influencing behaviour change or emphasising on treatment compliance. All these are in turn aimed at improving service delivery to the client. The materials may also be used as a form of advertisement.
There are several factors that determine the type of design that is adopted. This applies for both the commercially available and the locally produced materials. For example materials that are meant for single use will be designed differently from those that are required for frequent reference. Sometimes, the healthcare provider is interested in feedback from the client and provisions for this have to be made. The demographic factors such as age, gender and income have to be taken into account as well.
When choosing the language and style to use in your design, one of the most important considerations is the education level of the clientele. To determine the education levels, some form of research is warranted. If this cannot be done, the simplest design should be adopted so that a majority of the clients understand what is being communicated. Always ensure that the content is up to date and accurate.
The writer must ensure that they use simple and easily understood language. The use of medical jargon should be avoided whenever possible. Any technical terms appearing in the literature must be accompanied by definitions that can be understood by laymen. Active form of speech is recommended as it communicates to the reader directly. The same is the case with the use of second rather than third person.
Using complex and long sentences confuses readers and should be avoided. Instead, simpler and short sentences communicate better. Words with more than 3 syllables are difficult to read and should be kept at a minimum. Once you are satisfied with your content, you can determine the readability by using a sample of clients.
The use of patient handouts greatly helps in educating clients. It is a strategy that has helped reduce the responsibilities of healthcare workers giving them time to deal with other things. They have been found to be particularly useful in preventive medicine.
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